Between 800,000 and 1 million tons of rice need to be imported by the end of the Iranian year (March 19, 2016), according to Iran Rice Association. As part of a decree issued by Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati, Iran’s customs officials have been allowed to register new import orders for three months starting December 3, when a one year import ban was lifted, Mehr News Agency reported. The ban had been put in place to protect domestic rice growers during the production season. The ministry says new imports will be subject to a 40% tariff and 5,000 rials charged on each kilogram of rice.
