Iran’s plans to import some quarter of a million metric tons of red meat from Australia and Romania has worried domestic suppliers as they believe imports at such massive levels would irreparably damage husbandry units and famers in the country.
“That would translate into an uprooting of the livestock industry in the country,” said Mansour Pourin, who chairs Iran’s union of live aniumal exports on Wednesday.
Pourin said the size of meat imports from Australia and Romania would be equal the size of more than six million light-weight animals.
He said Iran culls just more than five million farmed animals per year to respond to its domestic demand for red meat.
“Instead of supporting the domestic production, this plan will cause the country’s funds to flow to the Australian and Romanian markets,” said Pourian.
Iran’s agriculture ministry has announced its plans for imports of red meat are meant o control rising domestic prices.
Reports say the government will allocate hard currency at a subsidized price of 285,000 rials per US dollar for imports of red meat from Australia and Romania.