Iranian agricultural minister Mohammad Ali Nikbakht has said that the country has become self-sufficient in production of wheat and does not need it import the staple grain in the coming year.
The value of saffron exports from Iran has experienced a 52% growth in the five months to August 22, according to Rouhollah Latifi, the spokesman of the Iranian House of Industry, Mine and Trade’s Trade Development Commission.
Iran exported around 16,000 metric tons (mt) of various types of pistachio nuts valued at $110 million to 44 countries during the first five months of the Iranian calendar year, with Russia accounting for 23% of the total exports.
Iran’s exports of food and agricultural products have registered a 19% year-on-year increase in the five months to August 22, according to an official with the knowledge of the matter.
The ministries of agriculture of Iran and India have signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a joint committee on agriculture.
Iran’s ministry of agriculture says this year’s domestic wheat purchases have reached a milestone of 10 million metric tons (mt).
Iran has reported a major surge in domestic wheat purchases with an official in the country’s agriculture ministry (MAJ) saying that purchases have risen by 37% in the harvest period between April and early August compared to the same period last year.
Iran has significantly cut its rice imports this year as figures provided by the country’s customs office (IRICA) show shipments nearly halved in value terms in the four calendar months to late July.
Iran’s First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber has called for necessary planning to produce rice, noting that the country’s next year imports of the grain will be subject to insufficient domestic production, IRNA news agency reported.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Government Trading Corporation (GTC) of Iran says that wheat purchases from domestic farmers in Iran has reached 7.297 million metric tons (mt) since purchases began in late April.