Iran exported 4.86 million tons of agricultural and food products worth $2.99 billion in the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Nov. 21), new data released by the Agriculture Ministry show.
The figures indicate a decline of 11.02% in tonnage and 11.8% in value compared with last year's corresponding period.
Pistachio topped the list of exports in terms of value with $229.9 million. Tomato was the second major agricultural export product in terms of value with $193.28 million, followed by milk powder worth $192.54 million, watermelon worth $174.35 million and dates worth $129.04 million.
In terms of tonnage, watermelon topped the list with 799,720 tons, tomato with 413,500 tons, followed by onion, shallot and garlic with 268,760 tons, apple with 260,330 tons and Persian melon with 259,070 tons.
Agronomic products accounted for 3.3 million tons worth $1.1 billion of total exports, down 7.69% and 11.18% in terms of tonnage and value respectively.
Horticultural exports amounted to 1 million tons worth $1.05 million, down 26.93% in terms of tonnage and down 33.64% in value respectively.
Exports of livestock and poultry products reached 454,950 tons worth $615.95 million, up 7.35% in tonnage and up 52.56% in value.
The veterinary sector exported 526 tons of products worth $3.73 million, down 19.64% and 44.92% in weight and value respectively.
The fisheries sector exported 86,360 tons worth $199.68 million, posting a rise of 17.64% and 49.89% in total volume and value respectively.
Exports from the forest and rangeland sector hit 11,680 tons worth $15,430 million, down 0.2% in terms of tonnage and down 8.77% in terms of value, respectively.