Tehran – Iran's domestic rice production reached a record high of 2.6 million tons in 2024, a deputy minister said.

"Iranian farmers across the country managed to produce 2.6 million tons of rice in 2024,” Akbar Fathi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Planning and Economics, said.

Outlining the government's strategy to ensure sufficient rice supplies for the nation, he added, however, the country still faces a significant rice shortage, estimated at 800,000 tons.

To bridge this gap, the government plans to import 400,000 tons of rice, the official said.

Earlier import restrictions had delayed the arrival of some shipments, but with the recent lifting of the ban, the remaining shortfall is expected to be addressed.