TEHRAN- The value of Iran’s fishery exports since the beginning of current Iranian calendar year (March 21) stands at over $80 million, according to Hassan Salehi, the head of Iran’s Fisheries Organization.

The official said that the figure shows a 20-percent increase from the fishery exports in the same time span of the past year, IRIB reported on Wednesday.

Salehi also said that fishery exports are anticipated to reach $550 million-$580 million by the yearend (March 20, 2019).

He has previously announced that the value of Iran’s annual fishery export is planned to rise at least 10 percent in this year.

The official has put the country’s fishery exports at 125,000 tons valued at $500 million in the past calendar year.

He said shrimp accounted for the main part of the exports in the past year while over 16,000 tons of shrimp valued at $100 million were exported.

Salehi also said that fishery output is planned to rise 8-10 percent to 1.25 million tons in this year.

He had previously put the fishery output at 1.15 million tons in the past year and the fishery consumption per capita at 11.2 kilograms, indicating 500 grams rise year on year.

Infrastructures required for boosting the fishery output have been provided in the country over the past three years and related plans have been approved by domestic and foreign investors, the official said, adding, “If the banking barriers for trade with Europe are removed we will have no concern in terms of production.”

MA/MA