As announced by a director in the Iranian Agriculture Ministry, the country forecasts a bountiful harvest of outdoor vegetables and melons, anticipating production to reach around 25.5 million tons by the end of the current agricultural year (September 2024)

This production level could be further increased if export markets or demand from processing industries materialize, Hossein Asghari said.

He noted that last year, Iran produced approximately 25.5 million tons of outdoor vegetables and melons, exporting nearly 4 million tons.

Asghari highlighted that neighboring countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf Arab states are the primary destinations for Iran's vegetable and melon exports.

The strategy for vegetable and melon cultivation involves tailoring production plans to each province's capabilities, considering factors like rainfall patterns, production costs, and export conditions. Boosting yield and enhancing productivity are key objectives, Asghari explained.

He outlined several initiatives aimed at achieving these goals, including, reducing water consumption, expanding modern irrigation systems, implementing appropriate plant nutrition practices, adopting seedling cultivation techniques, implementing effective pest and disease control measures, and utilizing improved seeds.

Asgari pointed to a notable yield increase of nearly three tons per hectare in outdoor vegetable and melon production over the past three years.

Regarding seed requirements, he stated that Iran's annual demand for vegetable and melon seeds, excluding potatoes, amounts to approximately 4,000 tons. Additionally, the country requires 550,000 tons of potato seeds, with over 99% of domestic potato seed production meeting the country's needs.

Asghari elaborated on the seed sourcing strategy, explaining that 700 to 750 tons of vegetable and melon seeds are imported, while the remaining portion is sourced domestically. This translates to over 80% of the country's vegetable and melon seed requirements being met by local production.