Iran's agricultural exports experienced a significant surge in the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-June 21).

 

The country exported a staggering $1.027 billion worth of agricultural products during this period, reflecting a 37% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth also extends to the volume of exports, with a 19% rise in weight year-on-year.

 

Mohammad Sadeq Ghanadzadeh, deputy head of Iran's Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), attributed this positive trend to Iran's Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) membership. This membership has facilitated increased exports to member countries, acting as a key driver for the overall growth.

 

Earlier data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) provided a glimpse into this trend. For the first two months of the Iranian year (March 20-May 20), agricultural exports reached $684 million, representing a 28% year-on-year increase in value. The volume of exports also witnessed a 24% rise compared to the same period last year.

 

Pistachios, tomatoes, watermelons, apples, and potatoes were the top agricultural exports during the first quarter. Notably, apples led in terms of value at $96.3 million, followed by in-shell pistachios at $74.1 million. Watermelons, field tomatoes, and greenhouse tomatoes rounded out the top five, showcasing the diversity of Iran's agricultural exports.

 

This growth builds upon the success of the previous Iranian year (ended March 19), where the value of agricultural and foodstuff exports increased by 22.5%. Iranian producers exported a total of $6.3 billion worth of these products during that period, highlighting the sector's growing importance to the Iranian economy.