According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), with 91,000 metric tons of exports, valued at 22 million, watermelon came first in Iran’s agricultural exports in terms of weight during the first month of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20), ISNA reported. The statistics, however, indicate that watermelon exports shrank by 6 percent in value and 10.5 percent in volume compared to the similar period a year before. With 42,000 tons of exports, valued at $33 million, banana came second, which indicates a 50 percent increase in weight and a 10 percent rise in value compared to the previous year’s similar period.
