Tehran, Iran, May 29
By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend:
Deputy head of Iran Rice Union said 2.2-2.3 million tons of rice are expected to be produced across the country in the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21).
Because of favorable weather conditions and proper precipitation across the country, rice production is estimated to increase this year, Ali Akbarian told Young Journalist Club on May 29.
“We expect the figure to rise and stand at 2.2-2.3 million tons,” he said.
Akbarian further said the country has reached self-sufficiency in the production of rice and that there was no need for importing the crop.
Last year's production stood at 2.25 million tons. The two northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran are home to a majority of Iran’s paddy fields, thanks to abundant precipitation in the Caspian region. As Iranians consume 3.2 million tons of rice a year, there is need to import the crop.
The government only bans rice imports during the harvest season to support local farmers. Import tariffs have increased from 22 percent four years ago to 40 percent at present for the same reason.
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