Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture on Monday withdrew its earlier statement regarding the suspension of imports of 11 agricultural products, clarifying that it had not issued any official directive to prohibit their entry into the country.
In a subsequent clarification, the ministry dismissed reports circulating on social media about a ban on the listed products, stressing that it had not submitted a request to the General Commission of Customs to halt their importation.
The ministry said the products in question include apples, bananas, kiwifruit, pomegranates, cowpeas, green peppers, garlic, cucumbers, watermelons, grapes and squash. It added that imports remain permitted, except for watermelons, grapes and squash, which are subject to variable import restrictions under the applicable regulations.
The clarification followed an earlier announcement claiming that imports of the 11 products had been suspended at the ministry’s request. The ministry later denied having formally requested such a measure.
