SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Federal Government on Monday banned imports of tomatoes, resulting in soaring the price in the market.
In several Iraqi provinces, tomato prices sky-rocketed as a result of the decision taken by the Government’s Ministry of Agriculture.
The Ministry’s decision to ban the import of tomatoes aims to foster the local product, supporting the farmers, according to local officials.
“The available local tomatoes can meet local needs,” said the Agriculture Ministry in a statement, adding that, as a result, “we requested the economic council of the Ministry to ban the import of tomatoes.”
Local produce traders have complained that they were having problems selling locally grown fruit and vegetables to the locals due to problems with import permits.
