U.S. Is Iran’s Main Rival in Int’l Pistachio Market
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Chairman of Iran Dried Fruit Exporters Association says currently the U.S. is Iran’s main rival in the international pistachio market adding that some European traders misuse the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran.
Mr. Mohammad Hossein Shamsfard in an interview with ILNA pointed to the latest development in the international pistachio market, saying that last year pistachio was traded for $8,000 per ton but this year the price has fallen to $6,500 per ton because the U.S. has lowered the price of its product.
He noted that the U.S. with its pistachio, Turkey with its raisins and Arab countries with their dates are of major rivals of Iran in the international markets.
Shamsfard added that export of pistachio has been in good condition this year and it is still good, adding that of course one should not forget that season of harvesting pistachio has just begun and they have not been exported, and in the upcoming days exports of fresh products will start.
He claimed exporters have no major problems abroad and their major problems are in the country because of constant changes of regulations by the Central Bank which confuse the exporters.
Shamsfard added that it is predicted pistachio product to be between 200,000 to 230,000 tons this year while it was 175,000 tons last year.
He also pointed to the problems resulted by the sanctions, saying that exporters cannot get their money easily and all activities have been affected by the sanctions because exporters cannot have banking accounts in other countries.
Shamsfard noted that last year China was the main destination for Iran’s pistachio and Europe was the second and Arab states were the third. He admitted some European traders misuse the U.S. sanctions and they pay the money with delay under the pretext of sanctions and Iranian exporters cannot do any or take any legal action.
He reiterated Iran’s pistachio in the international market has a strong rival, dubbed the U.S., whose lowering of the price of pistachio makes Iran to suffer losses but this year it has not announced its price for pistachio yet.
