Iran's Pistachio Exports Decline Sharply

Reports highlight a significant reduction in Iran's pistachio exports to European Union countries and China from January to September.

According to Eurostat data, Iran's pistachio exports to EU member states have decreased by 29%, amounting to a reduction of 67 million euros compared to the same period last year.

Iran had exported 95 million euros worth of pistachios to Europe by the end of September 2022. The breakdown included 49 million euros for shelled pistachios and 18 million euros for pistachios with shells.

Iran, after the United States, stands as the second-largest pistachio exporter to Europe from January to September 2023, with the US exporting 439 million euros worth of pistachios during the same period.

Germany remains the primary buyer of Iranian pistachios in Europe for the first nine months of 2023.

Simultaneously, based on Chinese customs data, Iran's pistachio exports to China have reached 20 million dollars during the period, indicating a 59% decline compared to the same period last year.

Iranian media attribute the decline to drought conditions and stringent regulations demanding that exporters repatriate their foreign currency earnings and exchange with Iranian currency at lower government rates.

Beyond pistachios, Iran has faced a downturn in other export products in recent years. In November, a member of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, warned that the country's carpet exports had reached a four-decade low, amounting to only half of the total production.

Despite initial promises by the President Ebrahim Raisi's government to boost non-oil exports, the commitment has not materialized as anticipated.