East Azarbaijan – The northwestern city of Maragheh, East Azarbaijan province, continues to lead the province in plum production, with an estimated 16,000 tons expected this year from 1,700 hectares of orchards, according to Saba Shokrollahfam, horticulture expert at the provincial Agricultural Jihad Organization.

 

She added that the province as a whole is forecast to produce approximately 50,000 tons of plums, with East Azerbaijan accounting for 20% of the country's total plum orchards—spanning 7,550 hectares.

 

The province ranks second nationally in plum production, particularly for dried plums. Over 30 varieties are cultivated and processed locally, including Gojeh Soltan, Qatreh Tala, Sardrud, Seyed Alchasi, Sari Alcha, and Zar Alcha.

 

Beyond Maragheh, key producing cities include Shabestar, Azarshahr, Tabriz, and Marand, Shokrollahfam noted.