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Iran watermelon exports on the rise

Business Materials 17 August 2018 15:33 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17

By Ali Mohammadi - Trend:

Iran exported 536,549 tons of watermelons worth nearly $100 million during the first four months of the current Iranian year (March 21-June 21), Iran Customs Administration’s latest report indicates.

On Aug. 17, ISNA cited statistics indicating that Iran had exported 536,549 tons of watermelons, worth $98.972 million, in four months since March.

During the same period last year, 460,000 tons of watermelon worth $78 million were shipped out of the country.

Some 32 countries, including Iraq, the UAE, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Qatar and Oman were the biggest importers of Iranian watermelons during the period, the report added.

Iran relies on imports for 90 percent of its requirements for water-intensive products such as wheat and oilseeds.

For years, Iran has been trying to modernize its farm sector and re-balance output toward dry farming and value-added crops which are increasing in demand among its population of over 80 million.

Current farming methods include open-land agriculture and green-house production but more modern practices such as hydroponics, a soil-less culture technology which uses less water and land, have yet to be introduced.

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