Gold tops Iran’s imports at $1.2b, non-oil exports up 3%
Gold bullion has become Iran’s top import in the first seven months of the current Persian calendar year that began on March 21, with 20 tons valued at $1.2 billion entering the country, head of Iran’s Customs Administration (IRICA) Faroud Asgari said.
Speaking on a televised program, Asgari said gold was the leading import item during the period, followed by 6.6 million tons of corn feed worth $1.9 billion, ISNA reported.
Imports of edible oil increased by 154%, strengthening the country’s strategic reserves, while rice imports reached 970,000 tons — up 91% compared with the same period last year.
“A total of 2.1 million tons of barley for livestock and poultry was also imported, showing a 91% rise,” he said.
On the export side, Asgari, who also serves as a deputy economy minister, noted that Iran’s non-oil exports reached $32 billion in the seven-month period, up more than 3% by volume compared to last year.
The country exported around 92 million tons of goods, with key items including natural gas, liquefied propane and butane, iron ingots, iron concentrate, and petrochemical products.
Imports totaled over 22 million tons worth more than $34 billion, marking a 16.7% decline in value from the same period a year earlier, he added.