Despite official assertions that Iraq has achieved self-sufficiency in dates, local markets still witness a noticeable presence of imported products, raising questions about oversight mechanisms and the protection of local products. Experts indicate that the palm sector in Iraq has suffered significant neglect due to desertification, water scarcity, and the migration of farmers, which has affected production volume and packaging quality compared to neighboring countries. Specialists warn against random import operations and the dumping of the local market, amid calls to tighten customs control and prevent the illegal entry of imported dates to support the Iraqi farmer. For their part, official authorities denied that the importation of tissue-culture offshoots indicates a production shortage, confirming that they aim to meet agricultural expansion needs and provide specific, desirable varieties.