Rice Output Estimated to Rise 10-15%

Rice production is estimated to increase by 10-15% in the current Iranian year (started March 21), because of favorable weather condition and timely distribution of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and equipment among local farmers, the head of Agricultural Jihad Organization of Mazandaran Province said.

Delavar Heydarpour added that last year, close to 1.28 million tons of rice husk (or hall) were produced in Iran. "We expect the figure to rise by 3-9% this year and stand between 1.35-1.4 million tons," he was quoted as saying by Young Journalists Club.

Last year's production stood at 2.25 million tons. Ali Akbarian, deputy head of Iran Rice Union, said 2.3-2.35 million tons of rice are expected to be produced in Iran's northern provinces alone. 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% four years ago to 40% at present for the same reason.