Azarshahr – Nearly 99 percent of Iran's legumes’ production comes from Azarshahr, East Azarbaijan province, a city that has established itself as the country's split pea capital and a major legume processing hub in the Middle East, according to a senior agricultural official.

 

Shahram Shafiei, head of the East Azarbaijan Agriculture Department, said that Azarshahr is home to approximately 180 split pea processing units, which produce over 140,000 tons annually.

 

“While most of this supply meets domestic demand, a significant portion is exported to neighboring countries.”

 

He attributed the city's success to modern technology, skilled professionals, high-quality raw materials, and decades of private sector investment.

 

Beyond split peas, Azarshahr is also a leading center for chickpea processing and roasted chickpea production, contributing significantly to job creation, value addition, and non-oil exports, Shafiei said.

 

The official added that alongside India, Canada, and Turkey, Azarshahr ranks as a key Middle Eastern legume industry hub, with strong potential to become an international trade and export center.

 

He called for further investment in branding, standard packaging, and processing infrastructure to help Azarshahr's split peas reach wider global markets.