Export of Iranian agricultural and food products accounted for 14% of the overall non-petroleum export in the last fiscal year (ending in March).
Seven million tons of agrifood worth over $5.82 billion was exported to register a 2.34% growth in tonnage and 8.93% decline in value year-on-year, said the Ministry of Agriculture.
In-shell pistachio (fresh and dried) topped the list of exports in terms of value as companies exported $724.2 million worth of the crop in the period. Apple was the second major export in terms of value with $362.27 million followed by tomatoes $259.21 million, unshelled pistachios $240.58 million and watermelon $175.97 million.
In terms of tonnage, watermelons topped the list with 748,090 tons, followed by apples 740,220 tons, tomatoes 572,940 tons, potatoes 480,440 tons, and onions and Persian shallot 394,990 tons.
Horticultural products accounted for 1.95 million tons worth $2.72 billion of the total exports, up 30.03% and 19.72% in volume and value respectively. Exports of agronomical products reached .41 million tons worth $2.09 billion, down 5.2% and 20.42% in volume and value, respectively.
Iran’s total non-oil exports during the period earned $41.3 billion, according to Mehdi Mirashrafi, head of Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.
“China was Iran’s main export destination purchasing $9.5 billion worth of non-oil goods last year, followed by Iraq with $8.9 billion, Turkey $5.4 billion, the UAE $4.5 billion and Afghanistan $2.3 billion.
According to financialtribune.com, the top five partners in exports were Asian countries and mostly neighbors. Other countries imported $10.9 billion worth of our non-oil goods last year.