Iran seeking to become food authority in West Asia: Minister

Iranian agricultural minister Javad Sadatinejad said the
government has taken necessary measures to turn the country into a food
authority in the West Asia region.

"The 13th administration [headed by the Iranian
President Ebrahim Raeisi] has initiated its program to help the country become
a food authority in West Asia," Sadatinejad said on Friday.

Plans are also underway to lower food prices and make them
stable in the market, he added.

Noting that efforts have been made to remove any obstacles
on path of the country's exports, he said that the Islamic Republic is resuming
exports of various agricultural products to many countries including, Pakistan,
India, Iraq, Russia and China.

"After a hiatus of 16 years, the ministry is currently
exporting apple to Pakistan, dairy products to Russia and poultry to
Iraq," the minister said.

Satadinejad added that four protocols have been signed
between Iran and China and that today Iranian honey, citrus fruits, and dairy
products are being exported to China.