Tabriz – East Azarbaijan province, in the northwest of Iran, plans to expand exports of its renowned Lighvan cheese by strengthening the product’s value chain and global market presence, the head of the provincial Agricultural Jihad Organization said.

 

During a visit to the “Jawaher-e Azarbaijan” (The Jewel of Azarbaijan) cold storage facility in Lighvan village, Shahram Shafiei said the 5,000-ton facility, built with an investment of 105 billion tomans, will improve storage capacity, reduce product losses, and help producers better manage supply.

 

He described Lighvan cheese as one of the province’s flagship agricultural products, with annual production of about 20,000 tons generated by around 150 producers serving both domestic and export markets.

 

He said the industry’s long-term growth depends on supporting livestock farmers, improving quality, completing the value chain, strengthening branding, and meeting international standards.

 

According to Shafiei, more than 450 tons of Lighvan cheese were exported last year to regional markets as well as Europe and North America.

 

The official added that lowering production costs, easing export barriers, and securing international geographical indication (GI) registration would further boost the product’s global competitiveness.

 

Lighvan cheese is one of the most famous traditional cheeses in Iran and the world and known as Azarbaijani white cheese.