The ministry of agriculture has banned setting up of new poultry units across the country. Hassan Rokni, a deputy minister, argues that the government prefers to help improve the quality of the existing units. Iran ranks seventh in the world in poultry production, producing two million tons of chicken every year. “If production units work at full capacity, the official says, the figure could increase by 50%”. He added that the ministry, in close cooperation with unions and producers, is trying to improve poultry production and production security and help stabilize the market. Between the years 2012 and 2013, 50 tons of chicken were imported but in the current year not only the import has been halted but chicken export increased by 20%, Rokni said.
