Tehran - Iran’s licensed nurseries have produced 30 million fruit saplings this year, all under technical and quality supervision, the deputy head of the Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute said.

 

“The output spans pome and stone fruits, nut trees, small fruits, citrus, and tropical and subtropical species. Saplings are marketed under two quality categories: fully certified stock and identity-labeled saplings based on producer self-declaration,” Abdolreza Kavand said.

 

He added, “Iran’s annual production capacity is estimated at 30-35 million saplings. In the face of water constraints, horticultural policy is focused on boosting orchard productivity through improved planting material and higher quality standards.”

 

Noting that exports began in mid-December, with more than one million saplings shipped to date, Kavand projected total exports to reach about three million saplings in the next Iranian calendar year 1405 (2026–2027), primarily to Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iraq.

 

He underscored that expanding the supply of standardized, certified saplings is a key strategy for increasing orchard efficiency and strengthening agricultural export performance.