Convenience Food - Iraq

Iraq

Highlights

Revenue in the Convenience Food market amounts to US$2.08bn in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 4.30% (CAGR 2024-2029).
In global comparison, most revenue is generated China (US$154bn in 2024).
In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of US$44.81 are generated in 2024.
In the Convenience Food market, volume is expected to amount to 510.60m kg by 2029. The Convenience Food market is expected to show a volume growth of 4.3% in 2025.0.
The average volume per person in the Convenience Food market is expected to amount to 9.4kg in 2024.

Key regions:

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureReportsMethodology

The Convenience Food Market in Iraq is facing minimal growth, influenced by factors such as traditional food preferences, lack of awareness, and limited access to digital technologies. Despite this, the Ready-to-Eat Meals and Soups sub-markets show potential for growth as consumers seek convenient and time-saving options. The market's overall growth is also impacted by the country's economic and political instability, hindering investments and development.

Customer preferences: As the Iraqi population becomes increasingly urbanized and individuals have less time for meal preparation, there has been a notable rise in demand for convenience food options. This trend is also influenced by a growing younger population and the adoption of Western eating habits. Furthermore, there has been a shift towards healthier convenience food options, such as organic and gluten-free products, as consumers become more health-conscious and seek out convenient yet nutritious options. This is also driven by the rise of social media and the influence of healthy eating trends on consumer choices.

Trends in the market: In Iraq, the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is currently experiencing a rise in demand for ready-to-eat and on-the-go food options. This trend is driven by busy lifestyles and the increasing number of working individuals. Additionally, there is a growing preference for Western-style convenience foods, such as frozen meals and snacks. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, with a potential increase in the availability and variety of convenience food products in the market. For industry stakeholders, this presents opportunities for expansion and diversification of product offerings, as well as the need to cater to changing consumer preferences. However, there may also be challenges in terms of maintaining quality and meeting food safety regulations in the production of convenience foods.

Local special circumstances: In Iraq, the Convenience Food market is heavily influenced by the country's unstable political and economic climate. The ongoing conflict and frequent power outages have led to a high demand for shelf-stable and ready-to-eat food options. Additionally, the traditional food culture in Iraq heavily relies on convenience food, making it a dominant market segment. These unique factors contribute to the continuous growth of the Convenience Food market in Iraq, setting it apart from other markets.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Convenience Food Market in Iraq is affected by macroeconomic factors such as the country's economic stability, government policies, and global economic trends. The ongoing political instability and security concerns in Iraq have had a significant impact on The Food market, leading to fluctuations in demand and supply. Additionally, the country's reliance on oil exports as a major source of revenue and the recent decline in global oil prices have also affected the purchasing power of consumers, thereby impacting the performance of the convenience food market. Moreover, the increasing trend of urbanization and changing consumer lifestyles are driving the demand for convenience foods in Iraq, leading to market growth.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on the total consumer spending on food, which comprises all private household spending on food that is meant for at-home consumption (out-of-home consumption is not accounted for).

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a top-down approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use resources from the Statista platform as well as in-house market research, national statistical offices, international institutions, trade associations, companies, the trade press, and the experience of our analysts. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, consumer spending, and consumer price index. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the exponential trend smoothing is well suited for forecasting the Food market with a projected steady growth. The main drivers are GDP per capita and consumer spending per capita.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year.