Iraq

Overview

Iraq is a predominantly Muslim country with a large import-dependent food market. With limited domestic halal-certified food production, Iraq relies heavily on food imports from Turkey, Iran, Jordan, and Australia. The formal halal certification framework is developing; COSQC oversees standards. Infrastructure challenges remain significant for cold-chain dependent products.

Market Overview

Total Population

42.3M

Muslim Population

40M (95%)

Halal Market Size

$4.2B

Market Growth (CAGR)

6.0%

GDP (USD)

$268B

Per Capita Halal Spend

$990

Regulatory Framework

Halal Authority

Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC)

Certification Required

Yes — Mandatory

Mandatory for

["Food products","Beverages","Cosmetics"]

Key Legislation

General Standard for Food Labeling (GSO 9); Iraqi Standard 1634 (Halal Food)

Import Requirements

Halal certificate required for food and cosmetics imports. COSQC-approved foreign certifiers accepted. Certificate must be authenticated by Iraqi embassy in country of origin.

Labeling Requirements

Arabic-language labeling required. Halal declaration required for applicable product categories.

Industry

Trade Intelligence

Government Incentives

Limited — reconstruction-focused investment incentives

Consumer Insights

Halal Awareness

very-high

E-Commerce Adoption

low

Cold Chain Maturity

low

Per Capita Halal Spend

$990

Companies in Iraq

Market Statistics