Iran is exporting some $400 million worth of dates to world market annually, according to the head of the country’s National Dates Association.
Mohsen Rashid Farrokhi also said that the Iranian annual dates exports can even grow to $1 billion with more necessary planning.
He added that Iran is now the world’s second biggest producer of dates as the country is producing over 1.3 million metric tons (mt) of the product each year.
“Despite all the challenges facing the production and exports of dates, we have been able to export 20 to 30 percent of our dates products over the past years,” Rashid Farrokhi said.
Underlining the need for further consulting with the private sector, he noted that imposition of temporary bans or restricting the dates exports could damage Iran’s position in the global markets.