Iran's Non-Oil Trade Drops 23% YOY to Over $38 Billion in 7 Months

Iran’s non-oil foreign trade stood at 84.8 million tons worth $38.27 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year (March 20-Oct. 21). 
The volume of trade in the corresponding period of last year (March 21-Oct. 22, 2019) stood at $49.57 billion, indicating that commercial exchanges have declined by about 23% on a year-on-year basis.
According to Mehdi Mirashrafi, the head of Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, exports accounted for 65.57 million tons worth $18.23 billion and imports constituted 19.33 million tons worth $20.04 billion of the total sum.
In other words, Iran recorded $1.81 billion in trade deficit during the period under review. 
When compared with the corresponding period of last year (March 21-Oct. 22, 2019), the exports registered 17.5% and 23% decline in tonnage and value respectively, he was quoted as saying by IRNA. 
Previous data provided by IRICA showed Iran's imports during last year's corresponding period stood at 19.8 million tons worth $25.17 billion. This means imports during the period saw a slight increase in tonnage but a 20% decline compared to last year's corresponding period.