Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Sunday Afternoon 2-1-26

Dollar Drops In Baghdad And Erbil Markets

2026-02-01 Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Erbil  The US dollar closed Sunday’s trading lower in Iraq, hovering around 148,000 dinars per 100 dollars.  According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 148,350 dinars per 100 dollars, down from the opening session’s 149,400 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 148,750 dinars and bought it at 147,750 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 148,050 dinars and buying prices at 147,850 dinars.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Dollar-drops-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-markets

Iraq Boosts Fuel Self-Sufficiency With Launch Of FCC Unit

2026-02-01   Shafaq News– Baghdad  Iraq is set to secure 4,200 cubic meters of high-octane gasoline for the domestic market after commissioning the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit at the South Refineries Company, the Ministry of Oil announced on Sunday.

According to a statement from the ministry, Hussam Hussein Wali, the director general of the company, noted that the unit entered final operation on January 31 as part of Iraq’s drive toward self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.

Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani previously affirmed that Iraq targets exports of oil derivatives to global markets by 2030.

In November, Iraq formally halted fuel imports after achieving self-sufficiency in gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, under a directive by Al-Sudani. The order instructed the Oil Ministry to regulate domestic consumption and channel surplus production toward exports.

Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, continues to rely heavily on imports due to challenges such as security threats, political instability, aging infrastructure, and resource depletion. Gas flaring and opaque contracts further complicate its energy sector, driving higher demand for refined oil products.

Read more: Why doesn't Iraq export petroleum derivatives?

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-boosts-fuel-self-sufficiency-with-launch-of-FCC-unit

Gold Prices Fall In Baghdad And Erbil Markets

2026-02-01 Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Erbil   On Sunday, gold prices hovered around one million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets, marking a sharp decline from the previous session, according to a survey by Shafaq News Agency.

Gold prices on Baghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 996,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 992,000 IQD. The same gold had sold for 1.040 million IQD on Saturday.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 966,000 IQD, while the buying price reached 962,000 IQD.

In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 995,000 and 1.005 million IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 965,000 and 975,000 IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1.125 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1.075 million IQD, and 18-carat gold at 922,000 IQD.  https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-prices-fall-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-markets-6-7

Iraqi Oil Exports To US Slide To 83,000 Bpd

2026-02-01   Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Washington   Crude oil exports from Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, to the United States fell to 83,000 barrels per day (bpd) over the past week from 251,000 bpd a week earlier, according to data released Sunday by the US Energy Information Administration.

The EIA figures showed the decline amounted to 168,000 bpd week on week.

Overall, average US crude oil imports from ten major suppliers stood at 4.908 million bpd, down 677,000 bpd from 5.585 million bpd recorded the previous week.

Canada ranked as the largest crude supplier to the United States during the week, with average imports of 3.813 million bpd, followed by Saudi Arabia at 370,000 bpd, Mexico at 216,000 bpd, and Colombia at 128,000 bpd. US crude imports averaged 119,000 bpd from Ecuador, 94,000 bpd from Venezuela, 43,000 bpd from Brazil, 41,000 bpd from Nigeria, and 1,000 bpd from Libya.   Daily US oil consumption stands at around 20 million barrels, making it the world’s largest oil consumer.   https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraqi-oil-exports-to-US-slide-to-83-000-bpd

Iraq Lowers Customs Import Value Estimates By 25%

2026-02-01 Shafaq News– Baghdad   Iraq’s General Authority of Customs at the Ministry of Finance approved on Sunday a 25% reduction on the average import values recorded in the ASYCUDA customs system.

According to the authority, the directive aims to strike a balance between maximizing state revenues and easing customs procedures at border points.

In January, the Iraqi government raised customs tariffs, setting rates between 5% and 30% across multiple brackets. The increases were applied to the full customs tariff schedule, which includes 99 chapters and around 16,400 internationally adopted tariff items.

Several Iraqi provinces, including the capital Baghdad, have witnessed angry protests against the government’s decision to impose new taxes and fees, as well as the enforcement of customs tariffs on imported goods.

Read more: Delayed reform or fiscal shock? Iraq’s tax measures test state capacity

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-lowers-customs-import-value-estimates-by-25

Iraq Continues To Suspend Its Oil Production Increases

Time: 2026/02/01 14:01:43 Readings: 165 times  {Economic: Al-Furat News} Reuters reported on Sunday that Iraq, as an active member of the OPEC+ alliance, will maintain its decision to suspend oil production increases for March 2026, in a move aimed at preserving the stability of global crude prices, amid Brent crude reaching about $71 a barrel, its highest level in six months.

The eight producing countries – Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria and Oman – had raised production quotas by about 2.9 million barrels per day during the period from April to December 2025, before freezing any increases from January to March 2026 due to weak seasonal consumption.

Iraq produces a portion of roughly half of the global oil output covered by the OPEC+ alliance, giving it a significant role in market stability. The OPEC+ meeting is scheduled for Sunday at 1:30 PM GMT, while the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee will convene to review performance without the authority to make new production decisions.

Oil prices received additional support due to production disruptions in Kazakhstan, while the United States continues to monitor the Iranian situation, including oil sanctions on Tehran and potential military pressure options, amid readiness on both sides to enter into possible dialogue.   LINK