Iran exported 2.93 million tons of agricultural and food products worth $1.59 billion during the first five months of the current fiscal year (March 21-Aug. 22), new data released by the Agriculture Ministry show.
The figures indicate a decrease of 10.15% in tonnage and 15.4% in value compared with last year's corresponding period.
Watermelon topped the list of exports in terms of value with $152.21 million. Tomato was the second major agricultural export product in terms of value with $133.59 million, followed by pistachio with $108.09 million, saffron with $57.26 million and raisins with $45.03 million.
In terms of tonnage, watermelon again topped the list with 691,290 tons, tomato with 285,620 tons, followed by Persian melon with 188,830 tons, apple with 143,840 tons and onion, shallot and garlic with 111,690 tons.
Agronomic products accounted for 2.16 million tons worth $718.12 million of total exports, down 4.93% and 6.47% in terms of tonnage and value respectively.
Horticultural exports amounted to 490,390 tons worth $505.65 million, down 31.18% in terms of tonnage and down 38.87% in value respectively.
Exports of livestock and poultry products reached 231,570 tons worth $263.11 million, down 3.47% in tonnage, but up 22.57% in value.
The veterinary sector exported 313 tons of products worth $1.91 million, down 28.62% and 57.09% in weight and value respectively.
The fisheries sector exported 47,110 tons worth $96.99 million, posting a rise of 26.1% and 57.09% in total volume and value respectively.
Exports from the forest and rangeland sector hit 6,220 tons worth $7.99 million, up 17.04% in terms of tonnage, but down 3.45% in terms of value, respectively.
Iran exported 8.48 million tons of agricultural and food products worth $5.23 billion in the fiscal 2021-22 (ended March 20) and 8.83 million tons worth $6.21 billion in the year before.