Rise in Iran’s Pistachio Exports to Spain

The value of Iran’s pistachio export to Spain increased by 58% in 2022, Iran-Spain Joint Chamber of Commerce reported. As reported, Iran, which is the largest supplier of pistachios to Spain after the United States, has exported 2,068 tons of pistachios worth over 23 million euros to this country in 2022. Although Iran is mostly known for its vast hydrocarbon resources, there are some other precious products that people all around the world put the Iranian brand on and appreciate greatly, one such product is Iranian “green gold” or pistachio.

Cultivation of pistachios in Iran dates back to the Achaemenid period or the fifth century B.C; Like the great dynasty, the Islamic Republic was the world’s unrivaled, leading producer of pistachios for a long time, with southeastern Kerman province being the hub of production for so-called green gold. Over the past decade, climate change has caused severe drought in Iran, leading to 85% of the country being classified as arid or semi-arid. The decline in annual average rainfall and shortage of surface water has forced farmers to dig more wells to pump water from underground reserves. The situation is the same in Kerman province, which accounts for 70% of Iran’s pistachio production. - Tehran Times