Iraq's largest plastics, printing and packaging event Plast & Agro Pack Iraq from 25 to 28 November 2024 at the Erbil International Fairground exceeded all expectations with the 2024 edition.

The event was honoured by the visit of Prime Minister Barzani’s son and was opened by the KRG Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Agriculture, the Governor of Erbil, Ambassadors and Consuls General of Armenia, Austria, China, Egypt, the European Union, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye and further dignitaries from around the globe.

The 5th edition of Iraq plast and the 7th edition of Agro Pack saw the participation of more than 11,000 trade visitors from all over Iraq and neighbouring countries discussing their business with 317 exhibitors from 18 countries.

The exhibitors came from Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.

This way, Plast & Agro Pack Iraq is making an important contribution to positioning Iraq as a modern economic hub.

See all 2024 exhibitors and their products & solutions here.

The overwhelming demand prompted the organisers, So Fuar and fairtrade, to use both halls of the Erbil International Fairground to offer attendees a comprehensive and intensive experience.

This expansion allows for a clearly defined thematic structure and reflects the commitment to delivering an unparalleled event that meets the diverse needs of exhibitors and visitors alike.

So here is the event’s structure:

Hall 2:

• Iraq plast spotlights raw materials and machinery for the plastics, printing and packaging industries
• Agro Pack Iraq: Focusing on technology and materials for food and beverage processing, as well as ingredients.

Hall 1:

• Food Iraq: A platform for showcasing and trading finished food & beverage products.
• Agro Iraq: Showcasing agriculture, crop production, livestock breeding, and poultry.

Top-tier suppliers from the following countries participated, representing the cutting edge of innovation and expertise in these sectors. Among them:

Iraq‘s imports of plastic raw materials grew by 24% annually between 2011 and 2020, from 40 kt to 285 kt.

The country’s plastic consumption per capita increased by 23% annually over the past years, from 0.5 kg in 2009 to 7.2 kg in 2022 and is estimated at 9.0 kg in 2026. (EUROMAP)

The Iraq Plast trade fair plays a pivotal role in enhancing Iraq's self-sufficiency. It serves as a significant testament to the nation's commitment to bolstering local production and the "Made-in-Iraq" initiative.

Recent statistics from the German Engineering Federation VDMA reflect this commitment.

• Iraq’s imports of plastics technology were up with an annual growth rate of 15.7%, from €20 million in 2017 to €48 million in 2023.
• Iraq’s printing & paper technology imports have grown by 47.6% annually, from €5 in 2017 to €35 million in 2022.
• Imports of packaging technology increased by 17.9% annually, from €47 million in 2018 to €107 million in 2023. (VDMA)

See detailed figures on the Iraqi plastprintpack market.