Chicken exports to Iraq and Afghanistan were resumed two weeks ago and at present between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of the product are exported every month, the head of Broiler Breeders Union said.
Mohammad Yousefi added that exports are expected to increase as of the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan this week.
“A few Iranian companies are preparing the grounds for chicken exports to Qatar,” the official was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency on Saturday.
Iranian exports took a hit after an outbreak of avian flu, which led to many markets banning trade with Iran.
Close to 50,000 tons of chicken were exported from Iran in the last fiscal year (March 2016-17), registering a 37.5% decline compared to the previous year.
H5N8, a dangerous strain of the bird or avian flu virus, was first detected in seven Iranian provinces in November 2016.
Later in March 2017, it was reported that the avian influenza had spread across 24 Iranian provinces, leading to the culling of some 12 million chicken.
Iran Veterinary Organization informed the World Organization for Animal Health early May 6 that the country had rid itself of this virus.
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