Figures released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration show that 23,000 tons of pistachio were exported during the first quarter of the current year (started March 21), which shows an 18-fold increase compared to the similar period of last year. The exports have earned $190 million in revenues, which makes pistachio Iran’s eighth most profitable exported product over the period, ISNA reported. Iran ranks second in pistachio farming after the United States and first in global export of the product. More than 235,000 tons of pistachio were reportedly produced in the country last Iranian year (ended March 20), recording an increase of nearly 17% compared with the preceding year. China, Hong Kong, the European Union and Iraq are major importers of Iran’s pistachio. China ranks first, accounting for nearly 50 percent of Iran’s export of the product.
