Iran Chewing Gum Imports Dwarfed by Contraband

More than 1,430 tons of chewing gum worth over 69 billion rials (close to $1.71 million at market exchange rate) were imported during the seven months to October 21, according to figures released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.

The imports mainly came from Turkey, the UAE, Italy, China and Poland, Eranico reported.

Legal imports, however, are dwarfed by $440 million worth of smuggled gum into the country every year, according to Jamshid Maghazei, the head of the Association of Iranian Confectionery Manufacturing Companies.

“Besides harming domestic production, consumption of contraband gum poses health risks as there is no supervision over the quality of smuggled products,” he said.

Maghazei believes the improving standards of domestic products and proper advertising of local brands can wean consumers off foreign gum.

Iran also exports chewing gum to Afghanistan, South Africa, the UAE, Bahrain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar and Kuwait.