Essential Goods Imports Hit $8.8 Billion in Seven Months

A total of 14.37 million tons of essential goods worth $8.8 billion were imported into Iran during the first seven months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Oct. 22), showing a respective growth of 25% and 95% compared with the similar period of last year, according to the technical deputy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.
“Imports of wheat increased by 15%, barley by 91%, different kinds of oilseeds by 56%, vegetable oils by 170%, soymeal by 136% and pharmaceuticals by 3% year-on-year. Field corn was the only essential good that experienced a decline in import [19%],” Mehrdad Jamal Arvanaghi was also quoted as saying by Fars News Agency.
All the imported essential goods, he added, are entitled to subsidized foreign currency at the rate of 42,000 rials per dollar.