Cheese imports in Iraq: data, top suppliers and prices
Iraq imported $232.2 million of cheese in 2024 (48.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $327.0 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $232.2M | 48.6K t |
| 2023 | $231.6M | 42.4K t |
| 2022 | $312.5M | 125.4K t |
| 2021 | $276.4M | 126.8K t |
| 2020 | $233.9M | 109.4K t |
| 2019 | $259.2M | 98.4K t |
| 2018 | $327.0M | 89.1K t |
| 2017 | $316.6M | 88.2K t |
Where Iraq imports cheese from
The largest suppliers were Turkey (29%), Saudi Arabia (27%), Bahrain (9%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $66.7M | 29% |
| Saudi Arabia | $62.4M | 27% |
| Bahrain | $21.7M | 9.3% |
| Austria | $19.6M | 8.4% |
| Poland | $16.9M | 7.3% |
| France | $11.8M | 5.1% |
| Australia | $5.7M | 2.5% |
| Hungary | $5.2M | 2.2% |
| Germany | $4.3M | 1.8% |
| Egypt | $3.4M | 1.5% |
Product types under HS 0406
| 0406.30 | Dairy produce: cheese, processed (not grated or powdered) | 51% |
| 0406.90 | Dairy produce: cheese (not grated, powdered or processed), n.e.c. in heading no. 0406 | 24% |
| 0406.20 | Dairy produce: cheese of all kinds, grated or powdered | 15% |
| 0406.10 | Dairy produce: fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd | 9.8% |
| 0406.40 | Dairy produce: cheese, blue-veined and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti (not grated, powdered or processed) | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0406.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.78 per kg, close to the world average of $5.48.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Cheese exports from Iraq
Iraq exported $580 thousand of cheese in 2024 (112 tonnes). Turkey alone took 98% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Turkey grew fastest (+35% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $568K | 98% |
| Saudi Arabia | $11K | 1.9% |
| Canada | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Iraq?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0406: Cheese and curd.
Common questions
What is the value of cheese imported by Iraq?
Iraq imported cheese worth $232.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 48.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 223 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply cheese to Iraq?
Turkey was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($66.7 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (27%) and Bahrain (9%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 28 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 24% on the year.
What is the average import price of cheese per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.78 per kg in 2024, 13% below the world average of $5.48 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of cheese to Iraq changed since 2017?
Imports went from $316.6 million in 2017 to $232.2 million in 2024, a fall of 27%. The peak was 2018 at $327.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does Iraq also export cheese?
Yes. Iraq exported $580 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Canada. On balance Iraq is a net importer of this product, by about $231.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for cheese?
The HS code for cheese is heading 0406. In Iraq the largest six-digit codes were 0406.30 (51% of the value) and 0406.90 (24%). It sits in HS chapter 04 (dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0406 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds Iraq trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.