Iran says trade with countries member to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has exceeded $2.1 billion for the seven months that have passed since Tehran signed an agreement with the bloc to lower import and export tariffs.
Iran’s customs office (IRICA) said on Monday that trade with EAEU countries had topped $2.112 billion for the period between October 27, when the two sides implemented their trade agreement, and the end of May.
IRICA spokesman Rouhollah Latifi said that around 53 percent of the trade conducted between Iran and the EAEU has enjoyed exemptions and discounts endorsed in the preferential trade agreement signed in October.
The balance of trade was in EAEU’s favor, however, said Latifi, adding that Iran imported $1.528 billion worth of goods and products from countries of the bloc while total exports from Iran to those countries topped $528 million.
Russia’s exports to Iran accounted for 53 percent of all EAEU shipments that arrived from the North, said the official, adding that Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan trailed Russia in the list of top EAEU exporters to Iran.
Latifi said Russian shipments accounted for nearly 80 percent of the value of EAEU’s exports to Iran over the seven-month period.
Staples and animal feed have been the main items of imports from the EAEU to Iran since late October, he said, adding that barley and wheat products as well as corn used as feed have topped the list of items imported from the bloc.
Iran’s main export items to EAEU countries from October to May were fresh apple, pistachio, natural gas, kiwifruit and dried grapes, said Latifi.
The EAEU comprises of Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.