Iran Gov't Lifts Egg, Chicken Export Ban

A ban on exports of day-old chickens, chicken meat and broiler eggs have been lifted by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade in a letter sent to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.
Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Reza Rahmani said by lifting the ban, the ministry aims to "prevent the loss-making of domestic producers", Mehr News Agency reported. 
These exports were banned to secure domestic supplies, prevent shortage and control rising prices in the domestic market.
Iran produces over 2.1 million chickens in 20,000 farms annually. 
Before the ban was put in place, close to 100,000 tons of chicken were exported from Iran annually.
According to the National Chicken Farm Owners Union, Iranians consume around 25 kilograms of chicken annually and rank seventh and first in the product’s consumption in the world and the Middle East respectively.
Latest available data on egg production show a total of 940,000 tons were produced in the fiscal March 2016-17.
According to deputy agriculture minister Hassan Rokni, Iran’s per capita egg consumption is estimated at 11.5 kilogram, which is two kilograms higher than the global average.