In the previous Iranian calendar year, concluding on March 20, Iran reported exporting approximately 120,000 tons of pistachios, generating around $1.0 billion in revenue. This export volume was part of over 200,000 tons produced nationally, as detailed by a representative from the Iran Pistachio Association. European Union (EU) members received €92 million worth of these exports in 2023, marking a 17 percent decrease from the €111 million exported in 2022, data from Eurostat reveals. Despite this decline, Iran remained the second-largest pistachio exporter to Europe, following the U.S.
Germany emerged as the leading European importer of Iranian pistachios, with purchases totaling €49 million. Italy and Spain also featured among the significant importers, with €7.0 million and €5.0 million in imports, respectively. The U.S., topping the list, exported pistachios valued at €640 million to Europe, experiencing a 15 percent decline from the previous year. Turkey ranked third, with its exports to Europe amounting to €51 million, also noting a decrease.
Despite Iran's global recognition for its "green gold," the country's pistachio production has faced challenges due to water scarcity and climate-induced droughts, affecting both the quantity and the quality of the yield. These environmental constraints have led to a significant reduction in production over the years, emphasizing the need for sustainable water management practices within the agricultural sector.
Source: tehrantimes.com