Kerman - Pistachio harvesting has begun in Esfandaqeh District of Jiroft County, in southern Kerman province, with about 60 percent of the region’s crop lost to spring frost this year.

 

Sadeq Hosseinzadeh, director of horticultural affairs at the Southern Kerman Agricultural Organization, said harvesting began in mid-September and will continue through mid-October.

 

“Pistachio orchards cover about 787 hectares in the region, including 259 hectares of bearing trees. Production from bearing orchards is expected to reach around 435 tons of fresh pistachios, yielding approximately 145 tons after processing, drying and grading.”

 

The processed pistachios will be supplied to domestic and international markets, he added.

 

Hosseinzadeh said Ahmad Aghaei, Akbari and Kaleh-Ghouchi are among the main varieties grown in Esfandaqeh, which benefits from favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil.

 

He added that the area’s high-quality pistachios, particularly their green kernels, enhance their competitiveness in global markets.