Iran exported $4.2 billion worth of food and agricultural products in the first ten months of the present Iranian calendar year (ending March 20), an official in the Federation of Iranian Food Industries Association, Kaveh Zargaran told IRNA. Food and agricultural products accounted for 15 percent of the total non-oil exports in the aforementioned period, added the official, noting that the figure could be doubled once production and export regulations are eased, the value added tax laws are fully implemented or western sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program are lifted. Zargaran called on the government to make use of private sector contribution in terms of pricing and import of specific food products as well as managing food markets.
