How a new farm centre brings higher prices for Iraqi growers
Aggregation hubs combine produce from different farms, and sort them by quality. By combining their harvests, farmers can meet the stringent standards set by large buyers, and earn better prices.
In Iraq, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and its partners this week handed over a new hub to Iraqi farmers, in a major step toward developing the agricultural economy.
The hub in Hamidat district, outside Iraq’s second city Mosul, is the second opened in the country. These hubs link farmers to markets, so they can aggregate, clean, sort, and grade produce to meet buyer specifications. This lets farmers earn more money by selling to higher-value segments of the market.
‘This aggregation hub is more than just infrastructure—it’s a gateway to opportunity,’ ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said. ‘By enabling farmers to process, package and meet market standards, it unlocks access to new buyers and more stable incomes. It’s a practical example of how trade can empower communities, strengthen rural economies and build resilience where it’s needed most.’
The aggregation hub was created in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The hub was funded by the European Union through the Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri-food Value Chain and Improving Trade Policy in Iraq (SAAVI) project. The hub was handed over to local farmers under the SAAVI Alliances.
‘The European Union is proud to support initiatives like the SAAVI project that empower Iraqi farmers and transform local agricultural systems,’ Lennart Deridder, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Iraq. ‘This aggregation hub in Hamidat is a demonstration to what can be achieved through partnership, innovation, and community engagement. By connecting farmers to better markets, fostering sustainable practices, and strengthening value chains, we are helping lay the groundwork for long-term economic resilience and food security in Iraq. The EU remains committed to supporting inclusive development that leaves no one behind.’
The inauguration ceremony—co-hosted by the Ninewa Governorate and key development partners—featured guided tours of the facility, personal stories from local farmers and the official handover of the hub to the farming community.
Since the start of the SAAVI project, more than 75 business transactions have been facilitated, moving a total of 270 tonnes of agricultural produce. Of this, 36 tonnes were aggregated and sold directly through the hubs to supermarkets such as Carrefour Iraq and Big Mart, significantly reducing reliance on intermediaries and enabling farmers to secure fairer prices.
‘Supporting smallholder farmers is central to WFP’s mandate in Iraq,’ said Mageed Yahia, WFP Iraq Representative and Country Director. ‘We are delighted to be working with ITC to ensure more smallholder farmers in Ninewa have access to the resources and markets they need to build a more resilient food system and enhance their livelihoods.’
The event also convened agencies and partners of the European Union’s Agri-Food Business Development Programme (AfBDP), which aims to strengthen governance in the agri-food sector and promote sustainable job creation. ITC is one of the implementing partners of AfBDP.
Beyond improving market access, the aggregation hubs play a crucial role in long-term agricultural resilience. By providing training, supporting climate-smart agriculture, and fostering innovation, they are building the foundations of a more sustainable and prosperous agri-food economy in Iraq.
Watch the inauguration of the hub
