Iran exported 7 million tons of agricultural and food products worth $4.5 billion during the first 11 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2022-Feb. 19), the latest data released by the Agriculture Ministry show.
The figures indicate a decline of 9.5% in tonnage and 4.44% in value compared with last year's corresponding period.
Pistachio topped the list of exports in terms of value with $367.35 million. Milk powder was the second major export commodity in terms of value with $286.16 million, followed by tomato worth $283.64 million, dates worth $261.78 million and watermelon worth $183.65 million.
In terms of tonnage, watermelon topped the list with 840,350 tons, which was followed by 610,170 tons of tomato, 549,220 tons of apple, 393,650 tons of onion, shallot and garlic, and 309,260 tons of dates.
Agronomic products accounted for 4.29 million tons worth $1.51 billion of total exports, down 10.44% and 10.69% in terms of tonnage and value respectively.
Horticultural exports amounted to 1.9 million tons worth $1.84 billion, down 14.7% in terms of tonnage and down 19.57% in value respectively.
Exports of livestock and poultry products reached 649,560 tons worth $902.57 million, up 13.72% in tonnage and up 55.79% in value.
The veterinary sector exported 753 tons of products worth $7.08 million, down 21.46% and 20.25% in weight and value respectively.
The fisheries sector exported 126,030 tons worth $295.93 million, posting a rise of 16.03% and 49.98% in total volume and value respectively.
Exports from the forest and rangeland sector hit 18,750 tons worth $25.52 million, down 1.71% in terms of tonnage and down 6.62% in terms of value, respectively.
“Iran’s 15 neighboring countries accounted for 93% and 81.5% of the weight and value of agricultural, fisheries, livestock and food exports during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year [March 21, 2022-Jan. 20],” Rouhollah Latifi, a customs expert, was quoted as saying earlier by IRNA.
“A total of 6.25 million tons of agrifood products worth $3.99 billion were exported from Iran during the period, of which 5.8 million tons worth $3.25 billion were exported to the 15 neighboring countries.”