Iraq's fish and seafood imports fall to $25 million in 2025

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's imports of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic invertebrates fell to approximately $24.98 million in 2025, according to International Trade Centre data, down sharply from $68.41 million in 2024 and $77.36 million in 2023. Frozen fish led the import list at $11.23 million, compared with $51.78 million the previous year. Fresh or chilled fish ranked second at $10.02 million, followed by crustaceans at $1.51 million. Imports of fish fillets and meat totaled $1.38 million, while live fish imports reached $442,000 and dried, salted or smoked fish amounted to $302,000. Mollusk imports stood at $94,000 and other aquatic invertebrates at $3,000. The data show that Iraq's import volume in the category rose from $29.42 million in 2021 to $48.95 million in 2022 and $77.36 million in 2023, before declining steeply over the following two years.