Tehran - Iran is anticipating a strong pistachio harvest this year, boosting prospects for increased foreign currency earnings from its leading agricultural export.

 

Jalil Karbakhsh, a senior member of the National Pistachio Association, announced on Saturday that production of dried pistachios is expected to reach 240,000 metric tons in 2025 - about 9% higher than last year. 

 

He noted that final figures could climb further as harvesting continues through late October.

 

According to Karbakhsh, the southeastern province of Kerman will account for nearly half of the total output.

 

"Iran exported close to 200,000 metric tons of pistachios in the year ending March 2025, earning approximately $1.7 billion in revenue. Officials expect higher sales this year, particularly as Turkey - one of the main buyers of Iranian pistachios - faces a sharp decline in domestic production due to drought. Demand from Turkey’s confectionery industry has already risen significantly," he said. 

 

Domestically, around 25,000 metric tons of this year’s harvest will be allocated to local consumption, the official said, according to Press TV. 

 

Government data released in June showed that Iran’s pistachio exports surged by over 140% in the year to March compared to the previous year. Over the past 11 years, the area under pistachio cultivation has expanded by 83%, now covering about 650,000 hectares—solidifying pistachios as Iran’s most valuable horticultural product.