The east-central Kerman Province accounts for about 50 percent of Iran’s date exports, IRNA quoted head of Karman’s Date Association, Mohesen Rashidfarrokhi, as saying. “The province produces 300,000 metric tons of dates per annum, which accounts for one third of the country’s aggregate date production,” said the official, noting that currently 25 percent of Kerman’s date production is exported. Iran annually exports an average of 150,000 metric tons of dates, most of which is destined for Malaysia. The rest is exported to North America and Europe. Rahsidfarokhi also referred to India and China as potential markets for the Iranian dates, saying negotiations are underway to also tap into the Chinese and Indian markets.
