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Iran expects increase in rice output

Business Materials 2 September 2015 17:21 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

By Fatih Karimov - Trend:

Iran expects to harvest 1.8 million tons of rice this year, an official from the country's agricultural ministry, Kaveh Khaksar said.

"Last year 1.65 million tons of rice was harvested in the country, however according to our calculations we should have 100 -150 tons more rice in the current fiscal year (started on March 21)," Fars News Agency quoted Khaksar as saying on Sept 2.

Referring to the issue of a ban imposed on rice imports until the harvest ends, he stressed the need for more coordination in order not to harm domestic rice production.

Last year Iranian MP Mehrdad Baouj-Lahouti said that the country imported five times more rice than the country's total import need.

Tehran plans to reach self-sufficiency in rice production in the coming years.

Iran was supposed to reach self-sufficiency in the rice production field by March 19, 2013, according to the agriculture ministry's plan, but officials announced that the plan needs another three years to be completed.

Deputy Head of Imports Commission of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Mohammad Reza Safa said last October that Iranian government has banned rice and sugar imports to support domestic producers.

Meanwhile, Iran still depends on rice imports for its domestic consumption. The country's total consumption stands at 3.2 million tons per year.

Edited by CN

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