Iran plans to ramp up warm-water fish production by 200,000 tons, according to the chairman of the country's Warm-Water Fishes Breeding Companies Union.

Ali Elviri, however, also warned that soaring summer temperatures are posing significant challenges to the industry, with ammonia buildup in fishponds impacting production.

Despite these hurdles, Iran's fish exports have seen a substantial increase, he added.

The country exported $53.3 million worth of fish in the first quarter of the year, marking a 30% surge compared to the previous year, according to the director general of the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture’s Office of Quality Improvement, Processing, and Aquatic Market.

Overall fishery exports also climbed by over 40% in terms of weight, Abbas Mokhtari said.

These figures highlight Iran's growing prominence in the global fish market, even as domestic producers grapple with the impacts of climate change.