Iran Exports $15m Worth of Tea in First 11 Months of 2025

TEHRAN (Iran News) Jahansaz reported that 52,000 tea farmers are currently active, supported by 180 tea processing factories in the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran. Of these, 150 factories have already signed contracts to begin purchasing green tea leaves. He noted that 30,000 tons of dried tea have been produced this year, with 145,000 tons harvested.

Jahansaz highlighted the challenges posed by climatic and soil limitations in eastern and western Gilan, stating, “Not all regions have equal potential for tea cultivation. We face constraints due to weather, soil quality, and land suitability, as much of the terrain in Gilan is either poorly suited or entirely unfit for tea farming.”

He reiterated that Iran exported 11,000 tons of tea worth $15 million in the same period, targeting neighboring countries and European markets, with Russia and India as the primary recipients. “Iranian tea holds a unique global position due to its quality, as it is produced without agricultural pesticides,” Jahansaz emphasized. He added that successful tea exports depend on maintaining high quality, competitive pricing, and the tea’s ability to generate foreign currency, given its chemical-free production and potential to compete in international markets.

Despite domestic production, Jahansaz acknowledged the need for imports, stating, “We produce high-quality dried tea suitable for consumption, but we still import 65,000 tons of tea annually.” He explained that green tea leaf harvesting occurs in three seasons—spring, summer, and autumn—each year.

Regarding pricing, Jahansaz said the guaranteed purchase price of green tea leaves is adjusted based on inflation, rising production costs, and market demands. “We aim to increase the guaranteed price while maintaining government support to ensure timely payments to tea farmers,” he noted.

He credited timely payments to farmers, financial support from the Tea Industry Development Fund, and the Tea Organization’s structured programs—such as improving farming practices, upgrading facilities, and reviving abandoned tea gardens—for the increase in production in recent years.