In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the price of tomatoes has been on the rise since last week, going up from 50,000 rials ($0.41) to 150,000-200,000 rials ($1.23-1.64) per kilogram. According to Asadollah Kargar, Central Fruit and Vegetable Market of Tehran, the reasons behind the increase in tomato prices include frost damage, shortage of supply, increase in transportation costs and exports.
According to the head of Iranian National Union of Agricultural Products, Reza Nourani, Iran has started exporting tomatoes to Pakistan in recent weeks. In an interview with Mehr News Agency, the official said the volume of export is limited for the time being due to the fact that there was a delay in concluding agreements between Iranian and Pakistani firms.
Nourani also said that the exported products were cultivated in greenhouses due to the cold weather in autumn, adding that the volume of exports will increase gradually.
On November 13, the Pakistani local media cited sources in Pakistan government as saying that the government was considering importing tomatoes from Iran to curb the product’s soaring prices.
According to en.eghtesadonline.com, latest data show Iran exported 98 tons of tomatoes worth $50.17 million during the first month of the current fiscal year (March 21-April 20), which indicates an 11.04% decline in weight but a 53.54% rise in value year-on-year, latest data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration show.
Armenia, Afghanistan, Ukraine, the UAE, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Iraq, Russia, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Georgia, Maldives and Azerbaijan Republic were the main customers of Iranian tomatoes during the period under review. Last year saw the export of tomatoes, except for crops produced in greenhouses, banned amid shortages in the domestic market and the ensuing rise in prices. The ban was subsequently lifted after an adequate supply was restored.
