Tiryaki, IFC partner to build 39 food and feed safety centres in Iraq
Tiryaki Agro plans to develop an integrated agricultural production and logistics hub in Iraq, including flour, legumes, and rice processing.
IRAQ – Turkey-based Tiryaki Agro Holding and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have partnered to establish 39 Food and Feed Safety Centres across 14 cities in Iraq.
The collaboration was formalised on September 13, 2025, during the IFC Partnerships Day in Iraq, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, marking IFC’s 20 years of operations in the country.
The initiative launches with a feasibility study aimed at creating Food and Feed Security Compounds (FFSCs), which are expected to become a cornerstone of Iraq’s food security and agricultural development.
With an initial investment of more than US$120 million, part of a larger multi-phase project valued at several times that amount, the programme seeks to modernise Iraq’s food and feed supply chain.
Strengthening food security and rural development
The FFSCs will be established through phased implementation, beginning with environmental and social screenings aligned with IFC Performance Standards.
These assessments will shape the project’s commercial sustainability, optimise costs, and ensure that operations meet international benchmarks.
Key components of the initiative include soil and water resource analyses to identify suitable crop patterns, the integration of renewable energy solutions, and the construction of modern storage and silo infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.
Training and capacity-building programs for local farmers are also central, designed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable farming practices.
“This initiative is not only vital for Iraq’s food and feed security but also an important step toward regional stability,” said Süleyman Tiryakioğlu, CEO of Tiryaki Agro.
“The strong partnership we have established with IFC represents a significant opportunity to responsibly bring Tiryaki Agro’s 60 years of expertise in the agricultural and food supply chain to the region.”
Fatih Tiryakioğlu, Head of Emerging Markets and Board Member of Tiryaki Agro, highlighted the project’s broad scope: “With 39 facilities to be established across 14 cities, efficiency and technology adoption will increase, while the integration of Iraqi producers into global value chains will accelerate.”
Shelisa Samgy, IFC’s Regional Pre-Investment & Advisory Manager, noted the impact on livelihoods: “This new initiative will be key in bolstering food security and improving livelihoods through job creation in Iraq. Our goal is to help the project’s bankability and reduce reliance on grain imports by building the capacity of local farmers in sustainable modern farming practices.”
Building on past investments in Iraq
The collaboration builds on Tiryaki Agro’s established presence in Iraq. In 2024, the company commissioned a soy crushing and corn storage facility in Umm Qasr, one of the country’s largest agribusiness projects, with an annual production capacity of one million tons.
The facility currently supplies nearly half of Iraq’s feed market and employs 290 workers, the majority of whom are Iraqi nationals.
The new programme also expands on a US$112.5 million financing package arranged in 2023 by IFC, FMO, and Proparco to support the Umm Qasr facility.
Looking ahead, Tiryaki Agro plans to develop an integrated agricultural production and logistics hub in Iraq, including flour, legumes, and rice processing, as well as feed additives and vaccine supply.
By anchoring long-term investment with sustainable practices, the partnership between Tiryaki Agro and IFC positions Iraq for strengthened food and feed security while driving rural development and regional agricultural integration.
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