Oilseed Production Grows Exponentially

Close to 31,000 tons of oilseeds worth 860 million rials (more than $23 million) have been purchased from local farmers by the government in the current Iranian year (started March 21), the deputy head of Government Trading Corporation of Iran said. “Our estimation is that oilseed production will see a 100% rise this year [compared to the preceding year] to stand at 430,000 tons,” Hassan Abbasi Maroufan was also quoted as saying by Eranico. The official noted that purchases have been mainly made from the provinces of Khuzestan, Ilam, Kerman and Fars.

The Ministry of Agriculture plans to achieve 70% self-sufficiency in oilseed production in the next 10 years. Per capita vegetable oil consumption in Iran is about 18-19 kilograms a year. The global average is 12 kilograms. Colza is one of the main oilseeds cultivated in Iran. While last year’s production stood at around 65,000 tons, this year’s output is estimated to have grown remarkably to more than 200,000 tons.