Iran Doubles Pistachio Exports

Iran’s pistachio exports doubled year-on-year in the three months to December 2020 as exporters expect even higher earnings next year with better crops and surging international demand for the nut. Head of Iran Pistachio Association (IPA) said that pistachio exports amounted to 90,000 metric tons during September 22-December 20 period, Press TV reported. Mohammad Salehi said the shipments doubled in volume compared to the similar quarter last year, adding that exports earned the country over US$540 million in hard currency revenues. Salehi said earnings could further surge in the coming months with an expected rise in the price of the Iranian pistachio in the international markets. “Given the interest of the foreign customers, the price for the Iranian pistachio will soon increase and we can witness revenues of US$10,000 to US$15,000 from exports of each ton of pistachio,” Salehi was quoted as saying by ILNA.

Iran is the largest producer and exporter of pistachio in the world and it normally earns around US$1 billion annually from the exports of the nut. Better crops and more government support for non-oil exports in recent years have led to a surge in shipments with experts believing the US$2-billion target is well in reach this calendar year ending on March 20 despite restrictions imposed on trade because of the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Salehi said the price of Iranian pistachio in the international markets would rise from the current US$6 per kilogram, saying it would be a huge boost of morale to pistachio farmers in the country after years of low yields due to drought. - Iran Daily