Tehran – Iran’s low use of pesticides gives its agricultural exports a competitive advantage, especially in meeting strict international standards, the country’s Deputy Minister for Horticulture Mohammad Mehdi Boroumandi said.

 

Speaking Tuesday at a webinar on “Strategies of the Ministry of Agriculture for Food Security”, Boroumandi stressed the pivotal role of horticulture in the economy. While orchards account for less than 20 percent of Iran’s farmland, they generate 38 percent of agricultural employment, 26 million tons of produce, and more than half of the sector’s foreign exchange earnings.

 

He noted that Iran’s agricultural trade balance turned positive last year, with export revenues climbing from $200 million to $4.3 billion, crediting both farmers’ efforts and government support.

 

“Iranian produce, he added, has secured a foothold in demanding markets such as Russia, China, and the European Union, with the country ranking among the world’s top exporters of pistachios, saffron, dates, pomegranates, walnuts, and raisins.”

 

Boroumandi emphasized that pesticide use in Iran averages just one kilogram per hectare, compared with 16 kilograms in Japan, underscoring the country’s strong position in food safety.