Khuzestan’s Non-Oil Exports Hit $5.5 Billion in 10 Months

A total of 13.5 million tons of non-oil goods worth $5.5 billion were exported from Khuzestan Province’s border crossings during the current Iranian year’s first 10 months (March 21, 2021-Jan. 20), says the head of the southwestern province’s Industries, Mining and Trade Organization.
“Petrochemicals accounted for 55% of the exports, while agricultural products, cement, clinker, plaster, construction materials, reinforcement bars, slab, steel and iron sheet, billet, dairy products, handicrafts, dates and vegetable constituted other exported goods,” Amir Hossein Nazari was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
The biggest export destination, he added, was the neighboring Iraq, which accounted for 25% of all exports from the province.
The official noted that around 17.3 million tons of goods worth $8 billion were imported to Khuzestan during the same period.
Khuzestan is the major oil-producing region of Iran and is one of the wealthiest provinces of Iran. It holds 80% of Iran's onshore oil reserves and 57% of Iran's total oil reserves, making it indispensable to the Iranian economy.
The province is also home to the Arvand Free Trade Zone and the Petzone (Petrochemical Special Economic Zone) in Mahshahr.
The abundance of water and fertility of soil have made it a hub of agricultural products, such as wheat, barley, oilseeds, rice, eucalyptus and medicinal herbs. It boasts of extensive palm and citrus farms, having high potentials for cultivating olives and sugarcane.
The abundance of water resources, including rivers and dams, have given rise to major fishery industries in the province.