Iran’s aquatic exports top $500m, reach 61 countries: Union chief
By Javad Mohammad Ali
Staff writer
Iran exported 202,000 tons of fishery products to 61 countries across the globe in the last Iranian calendar year starting March 21, 2024, with a total value exceeding $500 million when aquafeed is included, according to Ali Akbar Khodaei, the secretary-general of Aquatics' Production and Trade Union of Iran.
Khodaei told Iran Daily that Iran’s seafood shipments — covering marine species; fish whose meat is considered haram (forbidden) under Islamic law, such as horse mackerel and cuttlefish; warm-water species like carp; cold-water species such as trout; as well as dried fish, canned tuna, caviar and ornamental fish — reached 202,000 tons last year. Based on customs benchmark prices, the value of these goods stood at $401 million, but “if the value of exported aquafeed is added, the total exceeds $500 million.”
A comparison with the previous two years highlights steady growth. Two years ago, Iran exported 153,000 tons of aquatics (excluding feed) worth $326 million. In aquafeed — including feed, supplements and fishmeal — exports jumped from 53,000 tons valued at $45 million two years ago to 114,000 tons worth $96 million last year. Khodaei said the aquafeed industry has “significant capacity to meet domestic demand and supply various export markets.”
Marine species, particularly “haram meat” fish typically sold to non-Muslim countries, account for the bulk of total fishery exports, followed by shrimp, carp, trout, dried fish, caviar and canned tuna.
In the first half of the current Iranian year, which began March 21, 2025, Iran exported 84,000 tons of fishery products valued at $208 million, slightly above the 82,000 tons worth about $198 million shipped in the same period last year. Export momentum usually accelerates in the second half of the year, he said.
Marine and “haram meat” species again led first-half exports, generating $82 million. Shrimp exports were valued at $28 million, canned tuna at $12 million, carp and other warm-water fish at around $10 million, trout at $2.5 million and caviar at $2 million.
Export destinations
According to the official, Iranian caviar is exported to more than 30 countries, shrimp to 17 countries, and marine and “haram meat” fish to around 15 countries across East and Southeast Asia. “Iran exports aquatic products to all neighboring countries,” Khodaei said.
Overall, Iranian aquatic products reach 61 global markets. Some buyers, such as the Netherlands and Germany, import only caviar, while others — notably Turkey — purchase “all products and even their aquafeed from Iran.”
China mainly buys shrimp and marine fish, Russia imports trout and shrimp, and neighboring countries show stronger demand for trout and carp, he said.