Published On 2/7/2026
|
Last update: 16:31 (Mecca time)
The bale market in Iraq is no longer limited to low-income people as it was in years past. Today, it receives customers from different classes who come to it in search of good clothes at a low price, says Kazem, the owner of a bale shop.
The bale market has turned into a search trip for many people to go through the piles of clothes in the hope of finding something that is in good condition and has a lower price, especially if it is a famous brand.
Kazem’s family has been working in this profession since the 1970s, and he confirmed in his interview with Al Jazeera that this market, whose patrons were limited to low-income people, now receives employees, workers, and other social classes, given the diversity of goods and prices.
The matter is not related to poverty or social level, as some believe, but it is mainly due to the presence of clothes that you may not find in regular markets because they are international brands at very low prices, according to Kazem.
High quality and rare sizes
Umm Yasser, for example, only buys unused imported pieces, and finds in her bale special pieces with special prices, especially those that have the international brand label.
The bale not only provides quality and low price, but it also provides rare sizes that are rarely found in regular markets, according to what Umm Yasser confirmed to Al Jazeera.
The same thing drives Abu Muhammad to search for clothes in the bale because they provide distinctive colors and details, and because he finds it difficult to find his large sizes, according to what he told Al Jazeera.
As for Asaad Saleh, he goes to the bale in search of the right price and clothes, which he said are often made of good, comfortable fabrics and last longer compared to what is sold in other markets.
