During the first nine months of this year (March 21-December 21), more than 134.5 thousand tons of pistachio, worth above $1.2 billion, have been exported, which registers 75 percent rise compared to the same period last year, Meh news agency quoted an official in the ministry of agricultural Jihad as saying on Friday. “We will earn more than $1.5 billion via exporting pistachio by the year’s end,” Ali Mohseni said. China, Hong Kong, the European Union, and Iraq are among the biggest markets for Iranian pistachio, while China ranks first, accounting for about 50 percent of the exports. At least 235 thousand tons of pistachio have been produced in the current year (ending March 20), which shows 17 percent rise compared to last year, Mohseni added.
