TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (MNA) An official of the Ministry of Agriculture said that Iran has exported more than 134 tons of pistachios in 9 months this year.
Ali Mohseni said that Iran exported more than 134 tons of pistachios worth over $1.2 billion during 9 months of this (Iranian) year, indicating 75 percent growth over the same period last year.
Based on the predictions, Mohseni stressed, pistachio exports will reach $1.5 billion in value over the end of Iranian year.
The official in the Ministry of Agriculture pointed out that the major export destinations of Iranian pistachio are China, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe Union, Iraq and etc., adding that nearly 50 percent of the country's pistachio exports pertain to China.
Mohseni emphasized that Iran ranks first in pistachio export in the world. United States holds the first place in the world production of pistachio. Iran's amount of production is lower due to the drought and reduction of the quantity and quality of groundwater in our country, Mohesni concluded.