DailyEconomic - Iran exported about $2.2 billion worth of agricultural products during the seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-October 22, 2024), up 28% compared to the same period last year, data released on Sunday showed.

Shipments from April to October increased by 16% to 3.8 million metric tons, IRICA data showed.

Pistachios topped Iran's agricultural exports with $614 million in shipments in the seven months to the end of October, up 192% compared to the same period last year, the data showed.

Iran's Ministry of Industry and Information and Communications said that from April to October, Iran's exports of various tomatoes amounted to $226 million and watermelon exports amounted to $139 million.

Iran's Ministry of Industry and Information and Communications said that in the seven months to late October, exports of apples jumped about 46 percent year-on-year to $124 million and exports of dates amounted to $123 million.

The Customs Office said pepper exports saw the highest year-on-year increase of 490% in the seven-month period, while saffron exports, the mainstay of Iran's agricultural exports, declined by 51% in the same period.

Iran's agricultural exports have increased significantly in recent years as a result of increased government support for the agricultural sector and wide price differences between crops in local and regional markets.

The increase in exports has led to increased activity and employment opportunities in Iran's agricultural sector, while also contributing to the development of the country's rural areas.

According to Government data, as of 20 March this year, Iran's agricultural production had reached 131 million tons, up from 110 million tons in the previous year.