Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct.22/ Trend G.Mehdi/
Iran is expected to export fruits worth over $2.172 billion in the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 20, the Fars News Agency quoted the agriculture jihad minister's deputy, Rahmatollah Parichehr, as saying.
Iran ranks first in the Middle East and 9th in the world in fruit production, he said, adding that the harvest is forecasted to reach about 18 million tons this year, up one million ton year on year.
The products are exported to 100 countries, bringing in over $2.87 billion in income, ISNA reported.
Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are the major buyers of Iranian fruit. Citrus fruits, apples, grapes, and peaches are the main fruits exported by Iran.
On June 6, IRNA quoted Iranian Agriculture Jihad Minister Sadeq Khalilian as saying that imports of fruits decreased to 769,000 tons in the previous Iranian calendar year, compared to 1.08 million tons the previous year.
The Iranian cabinet of ministers has approved the allocation of 150 trillion rials (about $12.2 billion) to support agriculture projects this year, Khalilian said on May 1.
Moreover, 40 trillion rials (about $3.3 billion) have been earmarked for boosting agricultural infrastructure, he added.