Iran has posted a trade deficit of $2.345 billion for September with exports totaling $4.145 billion and imports at $6.490 billion, according to figures by the Iranian customs office (IRICA).
IRICA spokesman Rouhollah Latifi said on Saturday that exports in the calendar month to September 22 had risen by 25% in value terms compared to the previous month.
Latifi said that the value of exports in September had increased by 56% against the similar month last year, adding that the weight of overseas shipments had increased by 75% against September 2020 and by 103% against the month to late August.
Main exports destination in September included Turkey at $1.202 billion as shipments to the neighboring country rose more than 10 fold in volume term and five fold in value terms compared to August, said the IRICA spokesman, adding that shipments to Turkey had increased seven fold or 696% compared to September 2020.
Exports to Iraq amounted to $677 million, up 86% against August this year and 19% against September 2020, showed IRICA figures.
Shipments to China declined after consecutive periods of growth as the value of exports to the East Asian country reached $668 million, down 56% compared to the calendar month to August but just 1% lower than figures reported in September last year.
The United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan were collectively responsible for $475 million worth of shipments from Iran but exports to both countries declined both year on year and compared to August, said Latifi.
Imports into Iran more than tripled in the month to September as the value of shipments arriving in the country rose by 216% against August this year and by 107% compared to September 2020, he added.