Pistachio exports fetch $1.7b despite EU restrictions
Iran generated $1.7 billion in foreign currency earnings from pistachio exports last year after resolving technical disputes that had prompted the European Union to consider a ban on the trade, deputy agriculture minister said, as reported by ILNA.
According to Mohammad Mehdi Boroumandi, the country has 600,000 hectares of pistachio orchards. The crop, known for its drought tolerance and resistance to salinity, is considered a strategic export product with comparative advantage in global markets.
The European Union had set a six-month deadline for Iranian pistachio exporters to review their consignments and comply with health standards and sanitary requirements. After the six-month review period of the quality of Iranian pistachio exports, the EU lifted the restrictions and confirmed that shipments could continue without obstacles.
Meanwhile, foreign exchange revenues from horticultural exports rose from $2.9 billion to $4.3 billion under President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government, driven by what the deputy minister for horticulture affairs at the ministry described as stronger agricultural diplomacy.
For the first time, Iranian citrus fruits were exported to China and apples to the Philippines, Boroumandi said.
Despite unprecedented drought, sanctions, a weaker currency and higher farming costs over the past year, agricultural production still rose about 6% from the previous year, the official said.
In tropical fruits, banana output nearly doubled to 340,000 tons from 180,000 tons. Still, Iran imported 622,000 tons of bananas worth $700 million last year.
Pilot projects to raise yields are under way in Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormuzgan provinces, with plans to expand banana cultivation by 5,000 hectares, Boroumandi said, adding that the expansion will help cover a significant share of domestic demand in coming years.