The Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade has banned the export of tomatoes from Iran until further notice.
Director General of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration's Export Affairs Division Ali Akbar Shamani communicated the new regulation in a directive to customs offices across the country on Monday.
Based on the directive, tomatoes cultivated in greenhouses that are not used in tomato paste production are exempt from the ban, Mehr News Agency reported.
No reason was cited for the ban.
Latest data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration show Iran exported 306,655 tons of tomatoes worth $112.08 million during the first five months of the current fiscal year (March 21-Aug. 22)..
Iraq, Russia, the UAE, Afghanistan and Qatar were the main customers of Iranian tomatoes during the period.
