Indirect Exports of Iranian Products to the U.S.

TEHRAN (Iran News) Rashid Azizpour, head of the commission, told ILNA that the main challenge for the country’s food industry is the provision and allocation of foreign currency, which has a direct impact on production and distribution.

He attributed price fluctuations in markets such as rice and cooking oil to misguided quota policies and inaccurate production statistics, and highlighted the growing role of knowledge-based companies in advancing Iran’s food sector.

Azizpour explained that Iranian products generally cannot be exported directly to the United States due to restrictions.

“These products mostly enter the U.S. market indirectly—often via countries such as Canada or through re-export hubs like Dubai,” he said.

He added that in some countries, Iranian brands have been registered locally, and production or export of these goods under the same brands is carried out by foreign firms. Azizpour urged Iranian companies to use the Madrid Agreement to register their brands internationally to prevent unauthorized use.

Responding to a question about the state of production and distribution of essential goods, Azizpour stressed the need for timely access to raw materials, some of which must be imported.

“In recent years, inaccurate data from the Ministry of Agriculture has caused disruptions,” he noted.

“For example, officials reported a rice production figure of 2.7 million tons, while the actual output was closer to 2 million tons. This discrepancy led to miscalculations in import planning and turmoil in the market.”

He said similar problems had affected wheat, sugar beet, and sugarcane. The situation worsens when foreign currency for imports is delayed, leaving shipments stuck at ports and customs.

“Whenever raw materials and foreign currency have been provided on time, factories have been able to maintain adequate production and distribution,” he added.

Azizpour emphasized that the food industry and food security are the top priorities during crises.

“Experience from sanctions and recent temporary crises has shown that with sufficient raw materials, proper coordination among agencies, and efficient logistics and distribution, the country can weather such challenges,” he said. “Exports ”

He warned, however, that bureaucratic hurdles often delay the supply of even small but essential ingredients, which can disrupt production.

The food industry’s competitiveness, Azizpour said, increasingly depends on research and development to meet changing consumer demands.

“Many food companies now have well-equipped laboratories and active R&D teams. Cooperation with knowledge-based companies has been expanding—whether by purchasing technical know-how or forming operational partnerships. Some food companies have even established their own knowledge-based subsidiaries or startups,” he explained. “Exports ”

These collaborations have led to new innovative products and projects in recent years.

Discussing recent price swings, Azizpour said: “In the case of cooking oil, delays in allocating foreign currency for importing crude oil inputs have widened the gap between official and market prices. If timely allocations and imports do not occur, we could see renewed instability in the oil market in the coming weeks.”

On rice, he pointed to faulty statistics and flawed quota policies as the main causes of volatility.

“Quota-based approaches have repeatedly created serious problems. At times, inexperienced companies entered the market for essential goods without the necessary capacity or know-how, disrupting established supply chains,” he noted.

Azizpour argued that unified exchange rates and a rationally liberalized market could streamline operations and help stabilize prices.