Northern Orchards Safe From Cold Spell

The cold spell sweeping parts of Iran in recent days has not affected the orchards of the northern provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan, the chairman of Tehran Fruit and Vegetable Sellers Union said.

Hossein Mohajeran added that production is unlikely to be hit by frost this year.

The official noted that the northern provinces have enjoyed adequate precipitation this year, leading to better-quality citrus fruits.

Extreme cold caused 9.4 trillion rials (over $200 million) in damages to orchards in Mazandaran last year.

According to Delavar Heydari, the head of Mazandaran Agricultural Jihad Organization, between 250,000 and 300,000 tons of oranges and about 90,000 tons of kiwis were also lost to the frost last year.  

More than 110,000 hectares go under the cultivation of citrus fruit in Mazandaran every year to supply nearly 50% of domestic demand.