Iran's Foreign Trade Rises 38% to $90 Billion in 11 Months

Iran's foreign trade, excluding crude oil exports, stood at 149.4 million tons worth $90 billion during the current Iranian year’s first 11 months (March 21, 2021-Feb. 19), registering a 12% and 38% growth in tonnage and value compared with the corresponding period of last year.
According to Foroud Asgari, the deputy head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, exports stood at 112.65 million tons worth $43.52 billion, registering a 10% and 40% year-on-year growth in weight and value respectively, Fars News agency reported.
Imports stood at 36.77 million tons worth $46.57 billion, registering a 19% an 36% YOY increase in volume and value respectively.

The customs official noted that the imports mainly included essential goods, raw materials, production machinery, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
Also known as necessity or basic goods, essential goods are products consumers will buy, regardless of changes in income levels, such as rice, vegetable oil, sugar, wheat and flour. 
Basic imports are entitled to subsidized currency supplied by oil export.