Iran’s foreign trade, excluding crude oil exports, reached 106.79 million tons worth $78.84 billion in the current Iranian year’s first nine months (March 21-Dec. 21) to register a 12.82% decline in terms of weight, but a 9.36% rise in term of value compared with the corresponding period of last year, latest data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration show.
China was the main trade partner of Iran during the period with 26.2 million tons worth $22.72 billion. It was followed by the UAE with 18.04 million tons worth $17.42 billion, Turkey with 8.37 million tons worth $8.28 billion and India with 5.16 million tons worth $3.56 billion.
Exports hit 79.94 million tons worth $36.24 billion during the period, registering a 13.38% decline in terms of weight, but a 3.24% rise in value.
China with 22.99 million tons worth $11.5 billion, Iraq with 14.87 million tons worth $5.24 billion, the UAE with 8.58 million tons worth $4.48 billion, Turkey with 5.7 million tons worth $3.82 billion and India with 3.68 million tons worth $1.41 billion were Iran’s main export destinations during the period.
Imports stood at 26.84 million tons worth $42.6 billion during the period, registering a 10.79% fall in terms of weight, but a 15.15% rise in value.
Top exporters to Iran during the period were the UAE with 9.46 million tons worth $12.94 billion, China with 3.21 million tons worth $11.21 billion, Turkey with 2.66 million tons worth $4.45 billion and India with 1.47 million tons worth $2.15 billion.
Iran’s foreign trade, excluding crude oil exports, stood at 162 million tons worth $100 billion in the fiscal 2021-22, registering a 38% rise in value compared with the year before, Alireza Moqaddesi, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, said.
“Exports stood at 122 million tons worth $48 billion, registering a 41% increase in value compared with the previous year. Iran’s top five export destinations were China, Iraq, Turkey, the UAE and Afghanistan,” he added.
Moqaddesi noted that imports hit 40 million tons worth $52 billion during the same period, registering a 21% and 36% growth in weight and value respectively.
The UAE, China, Turkey, Germany and Russia were the main exporters.
“The imports mainly included essential goods, raw materials and production line machinery,” he added.
Also known as necessity or basic goods, essential goods are products consumers will buy, regardless of changes in income levels.
Iran’s import of essential goods in the fiscal 2021-22 included corn, unrefined vegetable oil, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, wheat, oilseeds, soymeal, barley, rice, sugar, heavy vehicle tires, fertilizer, pesticide and insecticide, veterinarian medicine, red meat, chicken, eggs, pulses and tea.