Qazvin - The Cornelian cherry harvest has begun across 660 hectares of orchards in Qazvin Province, with output expected to exceed 4,200 tons this season, according to the head of horticulture at the Qazvin Agricultural Organization.

 

Mohammad Pilehforoush said that Qazvin holds the top spot in Iran for Cornelian cherry production, averaging 6.6 tons per hectare.

 

He highlighted the villages of Hir in the Alamut region and Youzbash Chay in Kuhgir, Tarom Sofla, as key production hubs. “Thanks to their distinctive terrain, these areas produce fruit of superior quality,” he said.

 

The harvest period runs from early August through late October. Pilehforoush added that Cornelian cherries are not only eaten fresh but are widely processed into dried fruit, jams, preserves, juices, sauces, jellies, vinegar, fruit leather, and antioxidant tablets, offering strong potential for export.

 

He described Cornelian cherry as one of Iran’s unique native fruits, cultivated mainly in the province’s cool, mountainous regions where growing conditions are ideal.