The Iranian watermelon season is progressing at a good pace, with volumes up on last season and strong demand, but it remains hampered by the usual payment difficulties for Iranian foreign trade. So says Danial Shahabazi, founder and CEO of Daniur Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
Shahabazi says, "Iran's annual watermelon production is around 900 thousand tonnes, and this season's volumes are up 15% on last one, according to official figures from the Ministry of Agriculture. The season starts early in spring in the regions of Jiroft and Kohnouj, Minab, Iranshahr, and Dezful, and we are currently pursuing summer production from Damghan, Varamin, Semnan, Mashhad, Isfahan, Hamedan, Tabriz, Miandoab, all the way through to late autumn production in Dezful and winter in Minab, Sistan and Baluchistan. So, regarding volumes, everything is fine."
"Beyond volume, what sets Iranian watermelons apart is their unique taste and superior quality, thanks to the country's climate," continues Shahabazi. "As an anecdote, I quote a foreign sports coach working in Iran who told the local press that Iranian watermelons are the best he has ever tasted. This verdict is often heard from connoisseurs of Iranian watermelons. Once again this season, brix levels are high and the watermelons are easily placed in the "premium" category, with various sizes ranging from 8 to 16 kg."
Iranian watermelons have enormous market potential according to Shahabazi: "Demand is very strong wherever we manage to export, including to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Turkey, and Russia. We also manage to export to Europe via Turkey. We have several competitive advantages, starting with one of the earliest harvests in the world, as well as low production costs thanks to cheap energy and an exchange rate that favours exports".
These advantages are not fully leveraged, as Iranian foreign trade is constrained by the economic sanctions imposed on the country, which do not exempt the watermelon sector. Shahabazi says: "Payment and money transfer are complicated and discourage buyers. We do everything we can to make it our problem, not the buyer's problem. Importers wishing to do business with Iran can import our produce through third countries or companies. In fact, the watermelon trade has improved a lot in recent years, thanks to the efforts of the younger generation of Iranian exporters, who are doing their best to open up the Iranian market more than ever."
He continues: "The best way to bring Iranian watermelons into Europe easily, is to buy them in Turkey. This is the service my company provides. We are based in Turkey and Iran and take it upon ourselves to bring watermelons and other fruit to our customers in Europe. We have acquired solid experience in this area."
Shahabazi attends fair after fair to convince importers. He says: "I've just come back from the F Istanbul Fair, and it was amazing. We had many visitors, including our partners and new customers. We shared our vision with enthusiasm. Trade and business need to be separated, in many respects, from politics. As traders, we all share a common goal, which is to seek out the best quality, wherever it may be, and offer it to our customers. The young generation of Iranian exporters is looking forward to a better future and is doing its best above all as global citizens."
For more information:
Danial Shahabazi
Daniur Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Tel: +90 537 694 17 71
Email: [email protected]
www.daniur.com