• He and his fellow farmers here want to export to the health-food-obsessed markets of Europe and beyond.
    He and his fellow farmers here want to export to the health-food-obsessed markets of Europe and beyond.
  • The pomegranate is seen as something of a national symbol in Iraq's Kurdish region - much like the olives in Palestine and cedar trees in Lebanon.
    The pomegranate is seen as something of a national symbol in Iraq's Kurdish region - much like the olives in Palestine and cedar trees in Lebanon.
  • Pomegranate farming in Halabja has experienced something of a boom in recent years
    Pomegranate farming in Halabja has experienced something of a boom in recent years
  • Halabja alone is producing 25,000 tonnes of pomegranates, according to the head of the agricultural section at the local offices of Kurdistan Regional Government’s interior ministry.
    Halabja alone is producing 25,000 tonnes of pomegranates, according to the head of the agricultural section at the local offices of Kurdistan Regional Government’s interior ministry.
  • The area’s semi-arid climate and nutrient-rich soil allow it to flourish.
    The area’s semi-arid climate and nutrient-rich soil allow it to flourish.
  • Local farmers have been in talks with foreign companies to export the fruit to Dubai and Britain.
    Local farmers have been in talks with foreign companies to export the fruit to Dubai and Britain.
  • Residents of Erbil and other Kurdish cities often travel to Halabja for the fruit, as do some foreigners.
    Residents of Erbil and other Kurdish cities often travel to Halabja for the fruit, as do some foreigners.

World

In pictures: Halabja’s pomegranate boom

Rob Gurdebeke

October 05, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

For many Kurds, Halabja grows the world’s best pomegranates.

“Believe me, if we’re able to show the world our pomegranates, people will not think of Kurds as a oil-producing people. We’ll be famous for pomegranates,” said 40-year-old Shakhawan Mohammed, who own a few pomegranate orchards in the hills of southeastern Iraqi Kurdistan. Photos by Halwest Azad / Metrography

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