The Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade has banned the export of eggs to curb the price hike in domestic market.
The Market Regulation Headquarters affiliated with the Industries Ministry has communicated the new regulation in a directive to related associations, noting that all previous egg export permits from July 4 have been annulled.
Following the outbreak of novel coronavirus, eggs and poultry consumption in Iran has increased and red meat consumption declined, leading to shortages and price hikes.
Iran produces 90,000 tons of eggs per month.
Normal per capita egg consumption in the country prior to the coronavirus stood at 12 kilograms per year.
According to Reza Torkashvand, the head of the Union of Producers of Egg-Laying Hens Union, Iran produced 1.1 million tons of eggs in the last fiscal year (ended March 19, 2020), of which 41,000 tons were exported.
Latest data show Iran exported 6,500 tons of eggs during the two months ending May 20.