Non-Oil Exports Grow 12% Under Current Gov’t

TEHRAN (Iran News) Official figures show that non-oil exports climbed from $50 billion to $56 billion during the first year of the current administration, starting from July of last year. Petrochemical and oil-based industries accounted for the largest share with $27.2 billion, followed by the mining and mineral industries at $13.5 billion. Industrial goods contributed $8.8 billion, while agriculture products added $6.1 billion.

A four-year review of trade trends indicates that imports rose from $56 billion in July 2021 to $62 billion by July 2025. However, during the past year, imports fell from $64 billion to $62 billion, marking a slight decline under the 14th administration.

Analysis of mineral and steel-chain exports reveals that 23 million tons were exported last year due to production imbalances, preventing completion of the value chain and eliminating a potential $4 billion boost in exports. The total value of metal products sold domestically exceeds $35 billion, generating $14 billion in non-oil exports and reducing the country’s reliance on imports of raw materials for other industries.

The Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade, along with the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, has shifted from a passive to a proactive and strategic trade diplomacy approach. Expanding ties with neighboring countries and implementing trade agreements with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and BRICS have paved the way for broader export opportunities.

The EAEU—comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia—was founded in 2014. Iran’s free trade agreement with the bloc took effect in May this year, eliminating tariffs on about 87% of goods exchanged between Iran and the five member states. The deal is expected to stimulate foreign trade, lower customs and export costs in agriculture, industrial goods, and energy, attract investment, and enhance the competitiveness of Iranian products.

A roadmap has been drafted to facilitate implementation, covering mechanisms for problem-solving, harmonization of trade rules, logistics improvements, mutual recognition of standards, joint trade information platforms, and dispute resolution systems.

The Trade Promotion Organization has held awareness seminars on the agreement in 15 provinces, briefing thousands of traders. Official statistics show that Iran’s exports to EAEU countries rose by 22% in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year, reaching $532 million.

Meanwhile, Iran’s export basket has become more diversified, with a greater share of higher value-added goods driven by expanded production and investment in mining and general industries.

Key measures in the trade sector also include reviving the Supreme Council for Non-Oil Export Development, drafting a national industrial strategy, enhancing value chains, strengthening standardization processes, and issuing new banking guarantees to raise trade credit limits. The government has also approved new regulations for organizing and monitoring border trade activities such as small-scale trading and maritime exchanges.

Reviving the council is expected to address barriers, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, focus on private sector challenges, and provide stronger support to exporters. With its significant role in economic policymaking, the council is positioned to help shape trade policy, facilitate the implementation of agreements such as those with the EAEU and BRICS, and expand cooperation with neighboring markets.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, along with the Central Bank, is also expected to play a critical role by managing foreign currency allocations to ease trade difficulties faced by exporters and importers.