Economy, Domestic Economy
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Rice Imports Despite Ban

Rice Imports Despite Ban
Rice Imports Despite Ban

About 235,500 tons of rice worth $242.9 million were imported from Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Turkmenistan and India in the first quarter of the current Iranian year (March 21-June 21), indicating a 21.85% decrease in terms of weight and 35% decrease in value over the similar period of the previous year, said deputy minister of agriculture Abbas Keshavarz. “The Ministery announced a ban on rice imports on February, saying that the 1.8 million tons in annual rice production is more than enough. Yet, there are legal loopholes that allow merchants to continue importing 18 months after their order registrations were placed,” ISNA quoted Keshavarz as saying. Rice imports during the harvest season can threaten domestic producers and farmers, he added.

Financialtribune.com