Consumers increasingly seek healthier alternatives
Consumption of the two main staple foods categories, baked goods and rice, is slowing in Iraq in 2025 as consumers increasingly seek healthier alternatives, while other food categories are experiencing stronger growth. Overall, the market is expanding at moderate pace in value terms, with lower volume growth. This pattern is expected to continue, with a weaker performance over the forecast period likely as awareness of the health risks associated with high bread and rice consumption increases.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Staple Foods industry in Iraq with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Staple Foods industry in Iraq, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Staple Foods in Iraq report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Staple Foods in Iraq?
- Which are the leading brands in Staple Foods in Iraq?
- How are products distributed in Staple Foods in Iraq?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Staple Foods?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Iraq?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Staple Foods in Iraq
Consumers increasingly seek healthier alternatives
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Growth fuelled by rapid urbanisation
Growing health awareness is shaping consumer behaviour
Little impact of spike in cocoa prices
Weaker performance, with the government’s Public Distribution System continuing to constrain overall consumption
Government policies to support domestic production
Small local grocers will continue to dominate
Abdul Karim Alwan Foodstuff Trading leads with its longstanding presence, competitive pricing and extensive distribution
Americana Group is highly active across all processed food categories
Small local grocers benefit from their widespread presence
Rapid expansion of hypermarkets
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Impact of market saturation and rising health awareness
Industry Performance
Modest value growth supported by the introduction of new, higher-priced products
Bread remains far the most popular category in baked goods
What’s Next?
Decline driven by rising health awareness
High prices constrain demand for healthier options
Competitive Landscape
Unbranded artisanal products dominate
Increasing market fragmentation
Channels
Small local grocers dominate, ensuring maximum freshness
Expanding hypermarkets attract consumers with their competitive prices and air conditioning
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Rising demand driven by lifestyle changes and global trends
Industry Performance
Further strong growth in 2025
Ongoing popularity of bread for breakfast
What’s Next?
Demand supported by busier lifestyles
Breakfast cereals to remain largely unaffected by health concerns
Competitive Landscape
Nesquik benefits from widespread distribution and recognition
Quaker’s growth supported by its health positioning, strong distribution and competitive pricing
Channels
Small local grocers valued for their convenience
Expanding supermarkets offer competitive pricing
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Another strong year with rising demand for affordable and convenient food options
Industry Performance
Rapid urbanisation and improved affordability fuel robust growth in 2025
Some doubts about the nutritional value of these products
What’s Next?
Further robust growth expected
An affordable and practical choice for households with tight budgets
Tax on imported canned foods to protect local production
Competitive Landscape
Shilaneh leads, offering affordable pricing and wide distribution
Focus on quality supports Sadia’s strong performance
Channels
Small local grocers dominate
Rapidly expanding presence of hypermarkets
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Healthy growth; however, category remains small
Industry Performance
Ongoing preference for fresh produce
More foodservice outlets turning to these products to reduce preparation times
What’s Next?
Foodservice expansion to support strong future growth
Health concerns and affordability of fresh options limit growth prospects
Import tax on canned foods creates opportunities for local producers
Competitive Landscape
Kerevitas’ Superfresh brand offers high-quality products and good value for money
Strong demand for Feast fries
Channels
Small local grocers lead, focusing primarily on canned goods
Hypermarkets offer a wide range of processed products and competitive prices
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Rising urban demand for ‘modern’ pasta and noodles
Industry Performance
Rice continues to dominate, being a staple foodstuff in Iraq for centuries
Rising demand for pasta and noodles
What’s Next?
Strong growth in demand for pasta and noodles due to changing trends and Western influences
Health and global trends influence consumer behaviour
Competitive Landscape
Abdul Karim Alwan Foodstuff Trading leads with its well-known products and competitive pricing
Indofood Sukses Makmur continually adapts its products to appeal to consumers
Channels
Small local grocers offer convenience and the opportunity to buy on credit
Hypermarkets appeal, offering a wide product selection and competitive pricing
Category Data
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Staple Foods
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- Packaged Flat Bread
- Unpackaged Flat Bread
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- Packaged Leavened Bread
- Unpackaged Leavened Bread
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- Packaged Cakes
- Unpackaged Cakes
- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
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- Packaged Pastries
- Unpackaged Pastries
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- Sweet Pies and Tarts
- Frozen Cakes, Sweet Pies and Tarts
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- Hot Cereals
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- Children's Breakfast Cereals
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- Flakes
- Muesli and Granola
- Other RTE Cereals
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- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
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- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
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- Shelf Stable Processed Red Meat
- Shelf Stable Processed Poultry
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- Chilled Processed Red Meat
- Chilled Processed Poultry
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- Frozen Processed Red Meat
- Frozen Processed Poultry
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- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
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- Chilled Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Frozen Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Shelf Stable Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Tofu and Derivatives
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- Chilled Noodles
- Frozen Noodles
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- Instant Noodle Cups
- Instant Noodle Pouches
- Plain Noodles
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- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
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Staple Foods
NOTE: Couscous, polenta and quinoa are excluded from staple foods.
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This report originates from Passport, our Staple Foods research and analysis database.
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