Tehran – Iran's horticultural sector has seen a notable 6% increase in output, producing 26 million tons of garden products over the past year, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

Mohammad-Mehdi Boroumand, the deputy agriculture minister for horticulture affairs, presented the annual review covering August 2023 to August 2024, emphasizing the sector’s expanded production, infrastructure modernization, and rising export levels.

 

He affirmed that “horticulture plays an indispensable role in strengthening national food security and creating jobs, especially under conditions of water scarcity and climate change.”

 

Highlights from the report include:

 

Pistachio Export Success: Removal of trade barriers—particularly with the EU—helped export over 174,000 tons of pistachios, bringing in $7.1 billion in foreign exchange.

 

Expansion in Domestic Banana Farming: Banana production in southern provinces rose by nearly 50%, now supplying 80% of domestic consumption and saving an estimated €500 million annually in avoided imports.

 

Greenhouse Growth: Protected cultivation has been prioritized to combat water shortages. Greenhouse output hit 5.3 million tons—a 5.8% year-on-year increase—with 28,834 hectares now under greenhouse cover, employing 300,000 people directly.

 

International Olive Collection Status: Iran became the fourth country globally, after Spain, Morocco, and Turkey, to host an International Olive Collection, as recognized by the International Olive Council in December 2023.

 

Progress in Medicinal Plants: Cultivation of medicinal herbs and saffron expanded to 265,000 hectares, yielding 445,000 tons annually. Efforts are underway to develop drought-resistant species, including Opuntia.

 

Reduced Reliance on Imported Seeds: Domestic production of hybrid vegetable seeds rose by 27.2%, reaching 140 million units and cutting seed import dependency by 12%.

 

Boroumand credited the ministry’s strategic policies and intergovernmental coordination for these results, noting that “this year marks a milestone in Iran’s agricultural transformation toward self-sufficiency and resilience.”