It is estimated that 4.5 million tons of citrus fruit will be produced in Iran in the current fiscal year that ends in March 2017, which would register a 10% rise compared to last year, according to the head of Mazandaran Province Orchard Owner’s Union.
“Our production is in excess of domestic demand which offers the opportunity to try exports. However, lack of adequate transportation infrastructure, absence of effective marketing strategies and improper packaging are the main challenges exporters of horticultural products are facing,” Mohammad Reza Shabani was quoted by Mehr News Agency as saying.
According to head of the Institute of Labor and Social Security, Mohammad Reza Sepehri, almost half of all the fruit produced in Iran perishes due to improper packaging and lack of industrial cold storages.
The World Packaging Organization recently set up the Iranian Institute of Packaging to help offer Iran packaging education and training by holding workshops in Tehran. The first training sessions are slated for next August.
According to WPO’s general secretary Keith Pearson, packaging education is a priority for the Iranian packaging industry as the country prepares for the post-sanctions era and new export opportunities.
