BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 28
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
The capacity of Iran for processing, storage and packaging of agricultural products has increased by 40 million tons over the past eight years (from March 21, 2013, through March 20, 2021), an official of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad of Iran Changiz Esfandiari said, Trend reports citing the ministry.
Esfandiari noted that there were 6,450 enterprises in Iran's agricultural sector that could receive about 32 million tons of agricultural raw materials by March 21, 2013, and a total of 61, 500 people worked in this field.
“As a result of the creation of more than 6,000 new enterprises in 8 years and the employment of 100,000 people, this capacity is currently about 72 million tons annually,” he added.
In addition, enterprises with a capacity to process 7.4 million tons of products per year are being built, and there is more than 60 percent physical progress in the construction work, according to the official.
Esfandiari stressed that eight years ago, there were 321 enterprises, which have the capacity to storage 750,000 tons of agricultural products. At present, the number of enterprises reaches 1,140 and the capacity – 4 million tons. Also, refrigerators are being built to store 1 million tons of products.
“If the capacity of Iran for processing fruits and vegetables was 7 million tons 8 years ago, now this figure is 14 million tons. As well as, the capacity of enterprises for processing of animal, bird and fish feed increased from 6.6 million tons to 15 million tons,” he said.
The official emphasized that moreover, 1,500 enterprises have been built and restored in 8 years.