Iran has experienced a surge in medicinal plant exports, with over 100,000 tons shipped out in the past year, according to Hossein Zeynali, the director of Agriculture Ministry’s medicinal plants national plan.

He said the Office of Medicinal Plants has registered more than 60 tariff codes in the last three years in order to monitor the amount of export and even import of medicinal plants by intercepting these tariff codes on the customs website.

The country’s diverse climate and vast plant habitats have contributed to its position as a global leader in medicinal plant production.

Despite the industry’s potential, challenges such as limited funding and a shortage of skilled workers have hindered further growth. Officials believe that addressing these issues could unlock significant economic opportunities and create jobs.

Iran currently holds a substantial 40% share of the medicinal plant market in neighboring countries.

With over 400,000 people involved in production and 32,000 in packaging, the industry is a significant contributor to the Iranian economy.

According to Tarahom Behzad, the director-general of the pasture affairs office of Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, 14 natural climates are known in the world, of which there are about 11 climates in Iran, and it is the breeding ground of all kinds of medicinal plants.

So far, about 8,600 plant species have been identified in Iran, of which 2,300 species are medicinal and are directly used in the field of medicine, health and food supplements, the official added.