Tehran - Iran will allow conditional walnut imports as domestic production of dried in-shell walnuts is projected at about 250,000 tons this year, despite drought, summer heat stress, and early spring frost, a senior agriculture official said.

 

Dariush Salempour, Director General of Dried Fruits Affairs at the Ministry, said the country maintains nearly 190,000 hectares of walnut orchards, with annual output typically ranging from 250,000 to 300,000 tons.

 

He said expansion efforts focus on replacing uneconomic orchards with high-yield, climate-adapted varieties, optimizing cultivation in suitable regions, and rehabilitating older groves—primarily through top-grafting.

 

Strong domestic demand and consumer preference for local varieties mean most production is consumed at home, leaving only a minimal share for export, Salempour added.