TEHRAN- The value of Iran’s pistachio export rose three percent during the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-Septemebr 22), as compared to the same period of time in the past year, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) announced.

As announced, Iran exported 20,000 tons of pistachio worth $137 million in the mentioned six-month period, indicating also seven percent growth in terms of weight, year on year.

Russia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and Kirgizstan were the main export destinations of Iranian pistachio during the first six months of the present year, according to the IRICA.

Although Iran is mostly known for its vast hydrocarbon resources, there are some other precious products that people all around the world put the Iranian brand on and appreciate greatly, one such product is Iranian “green gold” or pistachio.

Iran exported 56,298 tons of pistachio worth $405.04 million to 57 countries during the past Iranian calendar year 1401 (ended on March 20).

The annual export indicates a 55.7 percent fall in value and a 58.4 percent drop in weight, year on year.

Over the past decade, climate change has caused severe drought in Iran, leading to 85 percent of the country being classified as arid or semi-arid. The decline in annual average rainfall and shortage of surface water has forced farmers to dig more wells to pump water from underground reserves. Nearly half of the 750,000 wells dug in Iranian farms are illegal, which indicates why the unconstrained use of underground water in agriculture is the main source of water waste in the country.

MA