Source: Tehran Times
TEHRAN – Iran imported 481,000 tons of fruits, valued at $354 million, in the past Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, ILNA quoted Iranian Customs Administration Director Abbas Memarnejad as saying on Sunday.
The fruit imports fell by 40 percent and 36 percent in weight and value, respectively, year on year, the official added.
Iranian Agriculture Jihad Minister Sadeq Khalilian has said that imports of fruits decreased to 769,000 tons in the Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 19, 2012, compared to 1.08 million tons the year before.
Iran ranks first in the Middle East and 9th in the world in fruit production, with an annual harvest of about 20 million tons, according to the Iranian Agriculture Jihad Ministry.
The products are exported to 100 countries, bringing in over $2.87 billion in income.