Oil Meal Imports: 1.4m Tons in 11 Months

Some 1.4 million tons of oil meals were imported during the 11 months to Feb. 18, secretary of the Iranian Association of Vegetable Oil Extraction Industry said.

“The unrestrained imports of vegetable oil meals can damage the domestic oil extraction industry,” Akbar Sebqati was also quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.

The official added that these imports can also pose health risks as they are often exposed to humidity and pollution due to the long distance over which they are transported.

He called on consumers to opt for domestic products as they are under the supervision of health officials.

Sebqati also called on authorities to raise import tariffs on the product to support the domestic production of oilseeds and maintain jobs in the sector.