24.02.2026 18:04
A greengrocer in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, has put green plums imported from Turkey on sale at his stall. The greengrocer stated that people have been signing up to buy them two months in advance and that the price per kilogram of the plums has reached 500 dollars.
The green plum being the first product of the year and its limited supply is causing prices to rise. The plums sold in the market in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, are currently imported from Turkey. With the arrival of local plums, a significant decrease in prices is expected.
"WE IMPORTED 23 KILOGRAMS OF PLUMS FROM TURKEY AND SOLD ONE KILOGRAM FOR 500 DOLLARS"
Iraqi grocer Mehdi Hussein stated that they sold the plums they initially imported from Turkey through pre-orders. Hussein said, "We imported 23 kilograms of plums from Turkey and sold one kilogram for 500 dollars. Today, we received 12 kilograms of plums at 400 dollars per kilogram." Hussein mentioned that they previously sold each plum for 7,000 Iraqi dinars, and with a slight decrease in prices, they are currently finding buyers for each plum at 5,000 dinars.
"ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, PEOPLE HAD WRITTEN THEIR NAMES TO BUY PLUMS"
Emphasizing the high demand for plums, Hussein said, "We imported them at the request of the public. About two months ago, people had written their names to buy plums. As the products arrive, prices are gradually decreasing." Hussein noted that he has long-standing commercial relationships with producers in Turkey, stating, "We have had relationships with farmers who send plums for years. Whoever's product ripens earlier sends it to us."
STRAWBERRIES ARE NEXT
Hussein stated that strawberries will also hit the market within about a week and that the first batch will reach them, saying, "My business generally involves rare and ornamental fruits. There is demand for weddings and events." As a grocer, Hussein expressed that he should have every fruit available and said he is pleased to be the person who brought the first plums of the year to Sulaymaniyah. He added that he does not stop there and also brings products from other countries to the Sulaymaniyah market.