20K Tons of Egyptian Oranges Purchased

The government has purchased around 20,000 tons of oranges from Egypt, which will enter the country in the coming days, Deputy Agriculture Minister Ali Akbar Mehrfard said on Saturday. Stressing that the fruit’s import is still prohibited, the official said a limited amount has been purchased, enough to make up for the probable shortage of oranges in the new Iranian year. “Mazandaran’s oranges were hit by frost and we want to provide high-quality oranges for Iranians during New Year holidays and balance the market,” he was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency. More than 110,000 hectares of land are under citrus cultivation in Mazandaran, which meets nearly 50% of the domestic demand. The extreme cold last November caused 9.4 trillion rials (over $240 million) in losses to orchards in the northern province. The Iranian New Year holiday begins on March 21, 2017. Domestic fruit consumption increases, as the occasion is celebrated with relatives and friends paying visits to one another. Fruit is a typical treat offered to guests in Iranian homes.