Supremacy disputed in the pistachio industry

World leader in pistachios exports, Iran is facing competition from the United States for the position No. 1 of pistachio production.

Iran exports 200 to 235 000 tonnes of pistachios a year for a turnover estimated at $ 1.5 billion. Pistachios surfaces cover 360,000 hectares, Kerman province focuses 77% of plantations.

The main customers exports are China (50% of sales) and Japan, Hong Kong, the EU and Arab countries, according to an official of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Long No. 1 worldwide of exports and pistachios production, Iran sees the market leader in the production escape. The United States, during the last decade, have doubled their pistachio surfaces, mainly in California (95% of US pistachios). "The figures for the production of pistachio have not yet been published, but their production may be 10% higher than ours," said an Iranian head of the Department of Agriculture.

A No. 1 place  that will stay the United States, American professionals believe they have the ability to double production by 2017.While Iran is facing a decline in rainfall and water resources as well as an increase in soil salinity. The increase in pistachio production is due largely to the implementation of new and more scientific methods.

source : tv press ir, iran traders net