Mazandaran Horticultural Exports at $140m

A total of $140 million worth of horticultural products were exported from the northern Mazandaran Province during the first nine months of the current Iranian year (March 20-Dec. 20, 2020). 
According to Ebrahim Qorban-Nejad, a local official, over 169,000 tons of citrus fruit worth $64 million were exported from Mazandaran over the period under review, showing a 139% and 240% growth in weight and value respectively compared with the similar period of last year, IRNA reported.
Kiwi exports stood at 104,000 tons worth $47 million, registering a 15% and 154% rise in volume and value respectively year-on-year.
Cut-flower, ornamental and pot plant exports stood at 9,500 tons worth nearly $31 million, he added.
Russia, Iraq, India, Oman, Qatar, Afghanistan and Caspian Sea littoral countries were the main destinations.
The official attributes the rise in Mazandaran’s horticultural exports to healthier products of high quality, proper sorting and packaging, use of scientific methods for cultivation and harvest procedures, increase in the province’s storage capacity and the launch of an agricultural export terminal. 
With 150,000 hectares of orchards, Mazandaran is the top producer of horticultural products in Iran. 
Last year (March 2019-20), a total of 200,000 tons of agricultural products were exported from Mazandaran, indicating a 100% hike compared with the previous year.
The province also ranks first to third in the production of rice, chicken, dairy and seafood.
Over the nine months under review, some 10,000 tons of rice worth close to $6 million were exported from Mazandaran.