Tehran — Iran is planning to place approximately 130 million broiler chicks in the next production cycle, as the country moves to expand poultry exports following the easing of export restrictions, the head of the Nationwide Union of Broiler Chicken Producers said.

 

Habib Asadollahnejad said that, based on current domestic consumption, the placement of around 120 million chicks would be sufficient to meet the country’s demand for chicken meat.

 

Speaking to IRNA about the latest developments in Iran’s poultry sector, he said 137 million chicks were placed in July and 140 million in August, while preparations are underway for the placement of approximately 130 million chicks in the upcoming cycle.

 

Asadollahnejad described the liberalization of chicken exports as an important tool for balancing the domestic poultry market. He noted that although permits had been issued for the export of 10,000 tons of chicken in July, only 400 tons were ultimately exported to neighboring Iraq.

 

He also called for export opportunities to be extended to other products in the poultry value chain, including day-old chicks and eggs.

 

The developments come as Iran’s Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri recently reported continued growth in the country’s poultry sector despite economic challenges.

 

During Government Week, Nouri said chicken meat production had increased by 5 percent, while egg production had risen by 8.5 percent.

 

“For the first time, the country has achieved self-sufficiency in chicken meat production and is now moving toward exporting the product,” the minister said.