Iran's export of dates down

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 17

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

An increase in prices for dates in Iran resulted in a decrease in export of this product by 80 percent, Nadir Khudadadi, representative of the export committee of the National Association of Iranian Dates, said.

“Some 165,000 tons of dates were exported from Iran this Iranian year (beginning on March 21, 2019) compared to 280,000 tons of dates last Iranian year (from March 21, 2018 through March 21, 2019),” Khudadadi added, Trend reports referring to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

“A kilogram of dates cost 60,000-70,000 rials (about $1.4-1.6) last Iranian year taking into account the devaluation,” representative of the export committee said. “However, this price increased up to 110-120,000 rials this Iranian year (about $2.6-2.8).”

“A big amount of dates is currently stored in Iran,” Khudadadi said. “Thus, 50-60 percent of the produced dates are stored in warehouses. Some 60,000 tons of dates are stored in Bushehr province.”

“Although there is hope to increase the export of dates, the government is concerned due to an increase in the prices for dates on the domestic market,” Khudadadi said. “Therefore, the government intends to impose a duty on the export of dates from April 4 through May 21.”

In accordance with the sixth Development Program (2016-2021), Iran must export agricultural products worth $5 billion per year. Some $500 million accounts for dates. Iran exported dates worth $400 million last Iranian year (from March 21, 2018 through March 21, 2019).