A total of 7.66 million tons of essential goods were unloaded at Iran’s southern and northern ports in the first four months of the current Iranian year (March 21-July 22), according to the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.
The consignments included 2.71 million tons of wheat, registering a 181% growth compared with the similar period of last year; 2.58 million tons of corn with no significant year-on-year change; 1 million tons of soymeal, registering a 9% YOY rise.
The volume of unrefined vegetable oil, barley and unrefined sugar stood at 336,153 tons, 287,100 tons and 249,267 tons respectively, ILNA reported.
Also known as necessity or basic goods, essential goods are products consumers will buy, regardless of changes in income levels.
Imam Khomeini Port in Khuzestan Province, Amirabad Port in Mazandaran Province and Shahid Rajaee Port in Hormozgan Province handled the highest volume of essential goods during the period in a descending order.
Last year (March 2021-22), 30.9 million tons of essential goods worth $19.6 billion were imported, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, registering a 32% and 60% rise in weight and value compared with the year before.
Imam Khomeini in the southern Khuzestan Province is the main port of entry for essential goods.
The lion’s share of the country’s demand for livestock feed raw material and grains are imported through this southern port.
Overall, Imam Khomeini is Iran’s second busiest port after Shahid Rajaee in Hormozgan Province. It boasts 40 wharfs, 140 kilometers of railroads within its premises and the latest loading and unloading facilities.
