BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 31
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Iran has prepared a development program for sturgeon farming, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jihad and Chairman of the Iran Fisheries Organization Nabiollah Khon Mirzaei said, Trend reports citing the ministry.
The deputy minister noted that details of the development program will be announced in the near future.
"The development program includes the growing of sturgeon, increasing the number of factories producing feed for sturgeon, packaging and export of sturgeon and related products," he said.
Khon Mirzaei pointed out that there are currently more than 175 sturgeon farms in Iran. In general, Iran has the potential to produce over 7,500 tons of sturgeon meat and over 100 tons of caviar annually.
According to the chairman, Iran produced 1,400 tons of sturgeon meat and 11 tons of caviar, during the first 8 months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through November 21, 2021).
"Currently, sturgeon are grown in 21 provinces of Iran. According to the development program, sturgeon will be grown in all provinces of the country," he said.
Khon Mirzaei also added that there are 71 sturgeon farms in the Gilan Province (northern Iran). The province has the potential to produce more than 1,200 tons of sturgeon meat and more than 12 tons of caviar a year.
The chairman stressed that Iran exported 3.3 tons of caviar to 27 countries, during the first 9 months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through December 21, 2021).
According to him, most of the sturgeon meat is consumed in the country and very little is exported.
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