Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iran will export first trout consignment to Russia in the coming weeks, Hasan Salehi, the head of Iran Fisheries Organization said.
The cargo including 100 metric tons of trout will be exported to Russia in next 2-3 weeks, Salehi said, Iran's Fars news agency reported Jan. 21.
Previously, Iran exported 30 metric tons of shrimps to Russia.
Iran's private sector is involved in the issue of exporting fisheries to Russia, said Salehi, adding that Iran Fisheries Organization also helps to accelerate the whole process.
Iranian government prefers to not intervene in private sector's deals as well as setting prices, Salehi he said.
The official earlier said that if the businesspersons of the two countries reach an agreement over the price, Iran will be able to export 5,000 metric tons of shrimp to Russia by the end of the current Iranian fiscal year (March 20).
"We also have the capacity to export 20,000 metric tons of trout to Moscow in the mentioned period," he added.
In August 2014, Moscow banned importing certain items from the western countries in response to economic sanctions imposed on Russia over its alleged role in escalating the Ukrainian crisis.
The ban, targeting meat, fish, poultry and milk products, nuts, fruits and vegetables, is expected to last for a year. Iran, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico have expressed their willingness to boost food exports to Russia.
During an official visit to Tehran by a high-ranking Russian delegation, the country officially requested Iran to increase its agricultural products and food stuff exports to Moscow in order to meet the country's domestic demands.
Analysts believe that the western sanctions imposed on Russia, and Moscow's self-imposed bans on importing western goods have created a great opportunity for Iranian goods to enter Russian market.
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