Pomegranate production on the rise in Iran

In 2024, Iran has seen a growth in pomegranate production, with an increase of 10,000 tons compared to previous year. Zahra Jalili-Moghaddam, a director from the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that pomegranate orchards covered 96,000 hectares across the country, producing around 1.34 million tons of pomegranates in 2024.

According to Mohammad-Mehdi Boroumandi, Deputy Agriculture Minister for Horticulture Affairs, horticultural products make up about 50% of Iran's annual agricultural exports. The country exports around three million tons of these products, generating approximately $3 billion annually and reaching over 100 countries worldwide.

Boroumandi highlighted that Iran produces nearly 26 million tons of horticultural products from three million hectares of gardens every year. While the country is self-sufficient in most fruits, it imports tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples, coconuts, and mangoes to meet domestic demand despite some local production.

He also noted Iran's environmentally friendly farming practices, with minimal use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While the global average pesticide use is over 2.5 liters per hectare, Iran uses less than one liter per hectare.

In addition to pomegranates, Iran excels in producing citrus fruits, kiwis, and other crops. The northern provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan are major hubs for these products. Mazandaran alone produces three million tons of citrus fruits, such as oranges and tangerines, every year. Iran ranks fourth globally in kiwi production, thanks to the output from these regions.

source: tehrantimes.com

photo: tasteiran.net