BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 6
By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:
The production volumes of dates increased by 20 percent in Iran compared to last year, Mohsen Rashid Farrukhi, spokesman for the National Association of Iranian Dates, said.
“Some 1.1-1.2 million tons of dates were produced this year,” Farrukhi added, Trend reports referring to the Young Journalists Club (YJC).
The spokesman noted that at least 30 percent of the dates are expected to be exported to target markets.
"The price for dates has increased last year due to devaluation, an increase in export volumes and in the number of non-professional exporters,” Farrukhi said. “However, the situation has improved in the export market this year and the price for dates is reasonable in the market.”
“A 600-gram-package of Mazafati dates costs 400,000 rials (about $9.52) in the Iranian market and this price is unreasonable,” the spokesman said. “These dates are sold at 140,000 rials (about $3.33) at the dates factory.”
“One kilogram of Piarom dates is currently being sold at 550,000 rials (about $13) at the dates factory,” Farrukhi said. “It is illogical to sell the dates at more than 1 million rials (about $23.8) and the Iran Market Regulatory Committee must control the process.”
The devaluation had a great impact on the economy in Iran last summer. Thus, the exchange rate of $1 equalling 35,000 rials increased to more than 220,000 rials. After the Iranian government interfered, the exchange rate of dollar decreased. Presently, $1 equals 42,000 rials in accordance with the official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Iran and 113,000 rials in the black market.