ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL1.CCS/2026/Guide.3
Country: Republic of Iraq
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability
Focus Area: Climate change, Natural resource sustainability
Initiatives: Water-Energy-Food nexus support to post-COVID-19 recovery
SDGs: Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 13: Climate Action
Keywords: Agricultural legislation, Agricultural product marketing, Agricultural trade, Consumer protection, Covid-19, Digital technology, Electronic commerce, Electronic funds transfer, Food loss, Food security, Iraq, Logistics, Market access, Principles, Private sector, Public sector, Stakeholder engagement, Technical cooperation
National guidelines on the role of agri-e-commerce in reducing food loss in Iraq
March 2026
The present national guidelines provide a practical framework to strengthen the role of e-commerce in modernizing the agricultural sector in Iraq, enhancing food security, diversifying the economy and creating employment opportunities in rural areas. This approach responds to the challenges facing the sector and reflects the urgent need to modernize agricultural and food value chains and address structural constraints that hinder production and marketing. These include the continued reliance on informal marketing channels, disparities in Internet access, weak logistics infrastructure and the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for e-commerce.
The guidelines present a roadmap to accelerate the adoption of agri-e-commerce in Iraq, including expanding digital and logistics infrastructure, building the digital capacities of farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting digital payment and financial technology solutions, and strengthening public–private partnerships. Through the implementation of these guidelines, Iraq can develop an integrated and sustainable agri-e-commerce ecosystem that supports rural economic growth, reduces food loss and enhances the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
Related content
Climate change, Natural resource sustainability
The present national guidelines provide a practical framework to strengthen the role of e-commerce in modernizing the agricultural sector in Iraq, enhancing food security, diversifying the economy and creating employment opportunities in rural areas. This approach responds to the challenges facing the sector and reflects the urgent need to modernize agricultural and food value chains and address structural constraints that hinder production and marketing. These include the continued reliance on informal marketing channels, disparities in Internet access, weak logistics infrastructure and the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for e-commerce.
The guidelines present a roadmap to accelerate the adoption of agri-e-commerce in Iraq, including expanding digital and logistics infrastructure, building the digital capacities of farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting digital payment and financial technology solutions, and strengthening public–private partnerships. Through the implementation of these guidelines, Iraq can develop an integrated and sustainable agri-e-commerce ecosystem that supports rural economic growth, reduces food loss and enhances the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
