Iran Needs to Import 100K Tons of Cotton Annually

Domestic demand for cotton stands above 180,000 tons per year, while local production is between 70,000 tons and 80,000 tons, according to the CEO of Iran Cotton Fund.
“This means, at present, we need to import at least 100,000 tons per year,” Mohammad Hossein Kaviani was also quoted as saying by IRIB News.
The official noted that there are many reasons why Iranian farmers prefer to cultivate other crops than cotton on their land. One is that cotton yields amount to around 2.5 tons per hectare.
“This volume of harvest is very low compared with other products such as potato and other vegetables that earn a lot more profit for farmers. Right now, planting other crops such as rice is not only more profitable but much easier. This is why, over the years, our cotton plantations have turned into paddy fields or ones where other crops are planted,” he told Mizan Online.