Tehran – Expanding potato processing industries can significantly boost value addition, reduce waste, create jobs, and strengthen agricultural exports, according to the head of Iran’s Center for Agricultural Mechanization and Agro-Industries Development.

 

Marking World Potato Day, Karim Zolfaqari said potatoes are a strategic crop for food security and a major opportunity for developing export-oriented food industries.

 

Iran currently operates 45 potato grading and packaging facilities with an annual capacity of 362,000 tons and 63 processing plants capable of producing 215,000 tons of products such as chips, frozen fries, starch, powder, and puree.

 

He emphasized that processing is essential for moving beyond raw commodity exports, as it increases shelf life, cuts post-harvest losses, raises producers’ incomes, and enhances competitiveness in global markets.

 

Zolfaqari added that advanced processing, packaging, and storage technologies will be critical to expanding the sector’s value chain and export potential.