A total of 12.65 million tons of goods worth $5.1 billion (excluding crude oil) were exported from Khuzestan Province during the first nine months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Dec. 21), registering a rise of 8% in both weight and value compared with last year’s corresponding period, according to Behrouz Qarebegi, a local customs official.
The exports mainly included petrochemical, agricultural products, steel, construction materials and seafood.
The UAE, Iraq, China, Southeast Asia, Turkey, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan were the main export destinations, IRNA reported.
Meanwhile, 13.81 million tons of goods worth $8.22 billion were imported to the province during the same period, registering a 7% rise in value compared with the corresponding period of last year, the official added.
The imports mainly included essential goods, fertilizers, steel and rubber.
China, Germany, the UAE, India, Brazil, Serbia, Argentina and Turkey were the main exporters.
Most of the exports from Khuzestan are shipped from Imam Khomeini Port that is also the main port of entry for essential goods (wheat, barley, rice and edible oil) in Iran.
The lion’s share of Iran’s demand for livestock feed raw material and grains are imported through this port, which is the country’s second busiest port after Shahid Rajaee Port in Hormozgan Province.
Imam Khomeini Port boasts 40 wharfs, 140 kilometers of railroads within its premises and the latest loading and unloading facilities.
Other ports in Khuzestan include Khorramshahr, Abadan and Arvandkenar.
The total throughput capacity of Khuzestan Ports is 60 million tons per year.
A major oil-producing region of Iran, Khuzestan is home to Yadavaran Field, which is a major oilfield. Khuzestan holds 80% of Iran's onshore oil reserves, and thus 57% of Iran's total oil reserves, making it indispensable to the Iranian economy.
Local agricultural products include wheat, barley, oilseeds, rice, eucalyptus, medicinal herbs and sugar cane. The province is also home to many palm and citrus farms.
The province also hosts the Arvand Free Trade Zone and the PETZONE (Petrochemical Special Economic Zone) in Mahshahr.
The Arvand zone is located on the northern tip of Persian Gulf and borders Khuzestan Province and the major cities of Khorramshahr, Abadan and Minoushahr. The zone is spread across 8,600 hectares and includes administrative, tourism and commercial areas.
The free zone is of special significance, as it is in the neighborhood of Iraq and Kuwait.
Bordering Arvand River and beyond that southern Iraq, the FTZ has a unique proposition on offer. It has direct access to the Iraqi market.
Among all of Iran’s neighboring countries, Iraq is the largest market for Iranian products.
In 2004, the zone’s transformation from a rural to industrial and commercial region started. It was officially demarcated by 2005.
Some 190 production units are active in Arvand FTZ.
