TEHRAN – The Head of Iran Veterinary Organization Mojtaba Norouzi and the Chairman of India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Shri Abhishek Dev met and held talks to discuss ways of increasing the exchange of protein products between the two countries.

Norouzi, who visited New Delhi on top of a delegation, exchanged views with Abhishek on health coordination for the export and import of livestock, aquaculture products and inputs between the two countries, Mehr News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Iranian deputy Agriculture Minister visited some of India’s slaughterhouses and issued them the Iran Veterinary Organization’s conditional health certificate to be able to export their products to the Islamic Republic.

Norouzi also met and held talks with Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi to discuss the issues related to the export and import of livestock inputs, meat, wool, eggs, aquatic products, etc.

Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $1.3 billion to India during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-October 22), according to the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).

Mohammad Rezvanifar said India was the fifth top export destination of Iranian non-oil goods in the mentioned seven-month period.

Also, exporting non-oil commodities valued at $1.1 billion to Iran, India was Iran’s fifth source of import during the first seven months of this year, the official announced.

According to the data previously released by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the value of Iran’s exports to India increased nine percent in the first seven months of 2023, as compared to the same period of time in 2022.

The Indian ministry put the worth of Iran’s exports to India at $393 million in January-August 2023, while the figure was $361 million in the same time span of 2022.

Petroleum products, raw materials for dye production, and various fruits were the top exported goods to India in the first seven months of 2023. India imported $156 million of petroleum products, $105 million of raw materials for the production of dyes, and $70 million of fruits from Iran during this period.

EF/MA