Iraq: Container Market 2025

Container Market Size in Iraq

The Iraqi container market shrank markedly to $X in 2022, declining by -15.3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption faced a abrupt curtailment. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Container Exports

Exports from Iraq

In 2022, shipments abroad of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers decreased by -0.3% to X units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 675%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, container exports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 817%. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Georgia (X units), Kazakhstan (X units) and Turkey (X units) were the main destinations of container exports from Iraq, with a combined 99% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Georgia (with a CAGR of +133.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X), Georgia ($X) and Turkey ($X) were the largest markets for container exported from Iraq worldwide, together accounting for 99% of total exports.

Georgia, with a CAGR of +184.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average container export price amounted to $X per unit, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 18%. The export price peaked at $X per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kazakhstan ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Georgia (+21.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Container Imports

Imports into Iraq

Container imports into Iraq declined sharply to X units in 2022, shrinking by -17.8% compared with 2021. In general, imports saw a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 97% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, container imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 149% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X units) constituted the largest container supplier to Iraq, accounting for a 61% share of total imports. Moreover, container imports from Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Iran (X units), sevenfold. China (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Turkey amounted to +3.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Iran (-17.1% per year) and China (-9.1% per year).

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers to Iraq, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Iran, with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Turkey amounted to +3.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-5.3% per year) and Iran (-16.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average container import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, with an increase of 4.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, container import price decreased by -13.6% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 35% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per unit), while the price for Oman (less than $X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+8.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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