Iran pistachio output sees 80 percent rise 

The director-general of the Cold and Dry Fruits Affairs
Department of the Agriculture Ministry said the country has produced 390,000
tons of pistachio in the current Iranian calendar year.

“So far, 390,000 tons of pistachio
have been produced in an area of 550,000 hectares, registering a 80% percent
increase compared to the same period last year,” Dariyoush Salempour said on
Tuesday.

Iran exported 56,298 tons of pistachio worth $405.04 million
to 57 countries during the past Iranian calendar year 1401 (ended on March 20).

The annual export indicates a 55.7 percent fall in value and
a 58.4 percent drop in weight, year on year.

Salempour further said, “Last year, we managed to produce
some 200,000 tons, but this year- due to good weather conditions- our total
production witnessed a good rise.” 

As the world’s largest producer of pistachio nuts for
decades, Iran has seen its production of the delicacy fall over the years due
to a combination of factors, most importantly a protracted drought and economic
sanctions.