A farming union official in Iran has highlighted a surge in mango supply within the country, attributing the phenomenon to potential smuggling activities along the border with Pakistan. Reza Nourani, head of Iran's Nation Association of Agricultural Products, indicated that the recent dip in mango prices could be a result of an oversupply, likely facilitated through unauthorized channels. "The amount of mango existing in the market show that mango imports into Iran has increased abnormally and that legal imports would no longer be profitable ... There are certainly issues happening at the borders," Nourani stated during a recent interview.
Speculation arises that smugglers might be exchanging smuggled fuel for mangoes at the eastern borders of Iran. Nourani expressed concerns over the disparity between the market prices of mangoes and the hard currency rates, suggesting that the fruits entering the Iranian market might not undergo necessary health inspections, posing potential hygiene and health risks. The backdrop of these developments includes Pakistan's significant reliance on smuggled fuel from Iran, which accounts for a substantial portion of its fuel demand. Iran is reportedly taking steps to fence its border with Pakistan in an effort to curb smuggling and foster legitimate trade.
Source: presstv.ir