Tabriz — Iran’s East Azarbaijan northwestern province is expected to produce up to 700,000 tons of apples this year, with Maragheh emerging as the province’s leading production and export hub, a local official said.

 

Shahram Shafiee, head of the East Azarbaijan Agricultural Organization, said the province has around 53,000 hectares of apple orchards, more than 52,000 hectares of which are productive. 

 

Despite losses from frost, hail and other adverse weather conditions, production is projected to increase 15–20 percent from last year, reaching 650,000–700,000 tons, he said.

 

“Maragheh accounts for around 35–40 percent of the province’s apple output, with more than 18,000 hectares of orchards and annual production estimated at 230,000–300,000 tons.”

 

Shafiee attributed the quality of Maragheh apples to the area’s favorable climate, fertile soils, water resources and growers’ expertise. 

 

Around 50–60 percent of Maragheh’s premium apples, equivalent to more than 250,000 tons, have export potential, with Iraq, Pakistan, Persian Gulf countries, Russia, India and Central Asia identified as potential markets, the official said.