Jiroft – The annual pistachio harvest has commenced in the orchards of southern Kerman, Iran's premier pistachio-producing region.

 

According to Ahmad Ahmadpour, head of the South Kerman Agriculture Organization, the harvest began in mid-September in the orchards of the Esfanjeqeh district of Jiroft, the region's production epicenter,

 

"Harvesting operations that started in mid-Shahrivar (September) will continue through mid-Mehrmah (October)," he said.

 

“Officials project a fresh yield of 1,037 metric tons from the mature orchards this season. Once processed and dried, this is expected to produce approximately 345 metric tons of market-ready pistachios.”

 

The report highlights that only 247 hectares of the region's 744 total hectares of pistachio orchards are currently mature and productive. The success of the crop is attributed to popular varieties such as Ahmad Aghaei, Akbari, and Kaleh-Ghoochi, which thrive in the local climate.

 

"The combination of high-quality product varieties and the region's fertile soil has made our pistachios highly competitive in international markets," Ahmadpour added.

 

With global demand remaining strong, the pistachio cultivation area in southern Kerman is reported to be expanding.