TEHRAN (Iran News) During the nine-month period, Iran exported 118.901 million tons of goods valued at $41.243 billion, marking a 1% increase in weight compared to the same period last year. The average price per ton of exported goods stood at $347.

Export destination data indicate that Iranian goods have maintained their position in key regional and Asian markets. The country’s top five export destinations were: China – $10.212 billion (25% share), Iraq – $7.395 billion (18% share), United Arab Emirates – $5.816 billion (14% share), Turkey – $5.005 billion (12% share), and Afghanistan – $1.877 billion (5% share).

Together, these five countries accounted for 74% of Iran’s total exports, highlighting the depth of trade ties and significant potential for expanding economic cooperation with regional and Asian partners.

The composition of exported goods shows that petrochemical, mining, and metal industries remain the backbone of Iran’s non-oil exports. Key export items during the period included methanol, bitumen, liquefied butane, iron and non-alloy steel ingots, various types of urea, other petroleum gases and liquefied gaseous hydrocarbons, iron ore and concentrates, polyethylene grades, containers, hot-rolled iron and steel bars, and unwrought aluminum.

This export mix reflects Iran’s continued comparative advantages in energy, mining, and metal industries, along with strong potential to expand exports of higher value-added products in these sectors.

In the first nine months of the year, imports totaled 29.325 million tons valued at $44.151 billion. The average price per ton of imported goods was $1,506.

The top five sources of imports were: United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey, India and Germany.

These five countries together accounted for 80% of Iran’s total imports. Other major import partners included Russia, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Oman, and Switzerland.

Major imported goods during the period included gold, animal feed corn, sunflower oil, smartphones, rice, soybeans, completely knocked-down (CKD) auto parts, barley (excluding seed), common wheat, soybean meal, photovoltaic cells (solar panels), and palm oil.

The import composition indicates a primary focus on essential goods, agricultural and livestock inputs, production raw materials, as well as selected capital and technology-driven items. This approach is assessed as supporting domestic production, strengthening value chains, and safeguarding national food security.

Overall, Iran’s foreign trade performance in the first nine months of 1404 reflects sustained trade dynamism, consolidation of key export markets, deeper regional cooperation, and the effective role of leading industries in driving exports. Alongside this, targeted import management focused on production needs and essential goods demonstrates a balanced trade policy approach.

The trend suggests continued economic engagement with major trading partners and considerable capacity to expand target markets in the months ahead.

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TEHRAN (Iran News)Speaking at the Second Conference on Understanding the Market and Trade Opportunities with India, Abdolsadeh Nissi referred to the current state of international trade, noting that imports into major economies such as China and India mainly include fuel, machinery, chemical products, plastics, and iron and steel. He added that fuels, machinery, pharmaceutical products, chemicals, and iron and steel account for a significant share of the global trade basket.

Nissi reiterated that in the first eight months of 1404, Iran’s exports to India amounted to $844 million.

Referring to trade relations with India, he stated that India’s exports to the world are expected to reach approximately $442 billion in 2024. He also pointed to various challenges along the Chabahar route, ranging from exhibition-related issues to matters linked to trade diplomacy, which are being pursued with the support of the country’s diplomatic apparatus. According to him, the marketing and commercial aspects of this corridor have become active, and cooperation from economic operators is essential.

The Assistant to the Head of the Iran Trade Promotion Organization noted that Iran’s exports remain limited to a number of traditional goods, adding that under current conditions, exports are largely confined to these products, while insufficient attention has been paid to the agricultural sector, particularly food products.

Referring to the Global Village Trade Exhibition of India, scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 Bahman 1404, Nissi stressed that participation in exhibitions can help identify pathways for attracting investors.

He added that available statistics and reports show significant potential in the agricultural sector, which has not been adequately utilized. He emphasized that appropriate regulations and infrastructure could contribute to the development of this sector and support the national economy.

Highlighting the mining capacities of both Iran and India, Nissi said both countries are strong in the mining sector and that India has a serious need for Iran’s mineral resources. However, he noted that trade has largely been limited to raw material sales and exports of a narrow range of items, stressing the need to move toward producing and exporting higher value-added products.

He further pointed out that there are considerable opportunities in the Indian market for cement, stone, and construction materials, but these opportunities have not been fully exploited. According to last year’s reports, many companies and exhibitions that were expected to have a presence in India did not participate actively.

Discussing the value of exports and imports, Nissi said the average value of Iran’s exports is around $300 to $350, while the figure for imports from China is about $3,345, and more than $1,700 in trade with India. He emphasized that traders active in the Indian market can play an important role in improving this situation.

He concluded by noting that Iran has achieved relatively acceptable performance in certain areas, including the petrochemical industry, but the main focus remains on exporting raw materials. He stressed the importance of examining how these raw materials are processed into finished products in India and exploring ways to transfer the relevant technologies into Iran.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In an interview with ILNA, Dehnavi highlighted the “remarkable potential” for further export growth, emphasizing that Iran’s trade portfolio with Russia is no longer limited to agricultural and food products. “In previous years, most of our exports to Russia were concentrated in agricultural goods and foodstuffs,” he said. “Fortunately, we have now expanded into industrial sectors, and soon, nearly half of our trade with Russia will consist of industrial and manufactured products.”

Dehnavi pointed to several key areas of industrial cooperation that have recently gained momentum. “Currently, we are active in the steel sector and have achieved good export performance in containers, automotive parts, pipes, and profiles,” he explained. He noted that this diversification marks a major step toward strengthening Iran’s industrial presence in the Russian market.

The deputy minister also underscored Russia’s vast import capacity, which he estimated at around $300 billion annually. “A significant portion of Russia’s import demand can be supplied by Iran,” he said, noting that the two nations have complementary economies capable of fostering deeper trade integration.

Dehnavi cited the fisheries and aquaculture industries as examples of sectors where Iran’s exports to Russia have seen substantial growth in recent years. He stressed that Iran’s increasing engagement with its northern neighbor reflects a broader strategy of developing sustainable trade ties within the region.

“Russia, as a global economic and military power with strong political and economic relations with Iran, offers a valuable opportunity for the expansion of our exports,” he remarked. Dehnavi added that the geopolitical stability of Iran’s neighboring countries, coupled with strengthening bilateral relations, provides a secure foundation for continued trade growth.

As Iran’s trade with Russia continues to evolve from agricultural exports toward higher-value industrial goods, officials remain optimistic that the two countries are entering a new era of economic cooperation that could surpass the $1 billion milestone in the near future.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Mohammadreza Dehghan Dehnavi, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade, told IRNA in Yazd on Saturday night that the implementation of a comprehensive free trade agreement between Iran and the EAEU countries since May 14 of this year has created a favorable environment for boosting exports.

Dehnavi explained that, with the cooperation of provincial chambers of commerce, a series of promotional and educational sessions have been held for Iranian traders to familiarize them with new export opportunities. “So far, these programs have been carried out in 16 to 17 provinces, and statistics clearly show a noticeable growth in exports to Eurasian markets,” he said.

The head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) noted that this growth is particularly significant given that the country’s overall exports have been on a downward trend. “In the first five months of the current year, the value of Iran’s total exports fell by about six percent. The positive trade performance with Eurasian countries demonstrates the importance of this market,” he emphasized.

While acknowledging that the rate of decline has slowed in recent months, Dehnavi said Iran’s overall export growth remains negative. To address this, the TPO is pursuing a range of supportive and promotional measures, including activating provincial capacities, strengthening export incentives, and expanding outreach efforts. “Eurasian Union”

He added that a two-day nationwide conference on foreign trade, currently underway in Yazd, is part of this broader strategy to take more effective steps toward increasing production and exports.

Dehnavi further highlighted the government’s commitment to easing export procedures. “Facilitating exports is one of our main priorities. We continuously identify obstacles and work to remove them. Coordination among different agencies and addressing existing challenges are central to our agenda,” he said.

Looking ahead, he stressed that the TPO is also seeking new investments to transform the export sector, aiming to ensure sustainable growth based on Iran’s comparative advantages. “With the cooperation of all economic actors, we hope to smooth the path for non-oil export development and increase Iran’s share in global markets,” Dehnavi concluded.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Mohsen Montazeri, Director General of Planning and Monitoring at the TPO, told IRNA that Iran exported 48.81 million tons of goods from March to July 2025. This marks a 1.5 percent increase in volume compared with the previous year. However, the export value of $16.55 billion represented a 5.5 percent decline in dollar terms.

Montazeri noted that the average price of exported goods stood at $339 per ton, a drop of seven percent from last year, reflecting both falling global commodity prices and competitive pressures in Iran’s key markets.

Overall non-oil trade — including exports and imports — reached 61.02 million tons, valued at $34.18 billion, during the same period. While trade volume rose marginally by 0.5 percent, the total value decreased by more than 10 percent.

Montazeri attributed the decline in value to global economic slowdowns, regional disruptions, and domestic policy shifts, particularly in foreign exchange management.

China remained Iran’s largest export market, purchasing $4.56 billion worth of goods and accounting for 27.6 percent of total exports. Iraq followed with $2.94 billion (17.8 percent share), while the United Arab Emirates ranked third at $2.12 billion (12.8 percent). Turkey and Afghanistan rounded out the top five destinations, with $1.67 billion (10.1 percent) and $709 million (4.3 percent), respectively.

Together, these five countries represented 72.5 percent of Iran’s total exports.

Montazeri also detailed the breakdown of exports by sector: petrochemicals and oil-based products led with 49 percent of total exports, mining and mineral industries contributed 25 percent, industrial goods 17 percent, and agricultural products around 9 percent.

On the import side, Iran purchased 12.21 million tons of goods worth $17.03 billion during the four-month period. Compared with last year, imports fell by 3 percent in volume and 14 percent in value.

The UAE was Iran’s largest supplier, accounting for $5.41 billion in imports, or 30.7 percent of the total. China followed closely at $4.59 billion (26 percent share), while Turkey supplied $2.6 billion (14.7 percent). India and Germany contributed $669 million (3.8 percent) and $628 million (3.6 percent), respectively. Altogether, these five countries provided nearly 79 percent of Iran’s imports.

The average price of imported goods was reported at $1,444 per ton — 11 percent lower than last year.

Imports were concentrated in intermediate goods, which made up 72 percent of the total, while consumer and capital goods each accounted for 14 percent. Notably, Iran also imported $1.07 billion worth of gold in the first four months of the year.

Montazeri reported that Iran maintained a positive trade balance of $5.8 billion with 81 countries during the period. However, trade deficits totaling $6.9 billion were recorded with 60 other countries, reflecting structural imbalances in Iran’s international commerce.

Despite the recent decline, officials highlighted broader achievements. Mohammad-Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade and head of the TPO, pointed to last year’s record non-oil exports of $58 billion — the highest in Iran’s history.

According to Dehnavi, the government has pursued a strategy of expanding free trade and preferential agreements, which has opened new opportunities, particularly with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Since May 2025, Iran has implemented a major trade agreement with the EAEU, boosting exports to member states Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan. Trade with this bloc grew by 22 percent in the past year. “Iran’s Exports Reach ”

Officials acknowledged that the 5.5 percent drop in exports during the first four months of the current year was partly due to external shocks, including the temporary shutdown of Shahid Rajaei Port, regional instability marked by a 12-day conflict, and the global economic slowdown.

Dehnavi added that currency policies have also discouraged exporters, but expressed optimism that multilateral trade agreements and new partnerships — such as the recently signed free trade accord with Pakistan — could offset recent setbacks. If ratified, the Iran-Pakistan agreement could significantly expand the current $3 billion trade volume between the two neighbors, leveraging Pakistan’s 250 million-strong consumer market.

Iran’s trade officials emphasized that while short-term challenges persist, the government’s focus on diversifying export markets, reducing reliance on oil revenues, and deepening regional trade ties offers a path to stability. “Iran’s Exports Reach ”

The balance between declining trade values and rising volumes suggests that Iran’s exporters remain competitive in regional markets, but face pressure from falling prices and shifting global demand. How Tehran manages these challenges — particularly through trade diplomacy and currency reforms — will be key in determining whether Iran can sustain its record-setting trajectory in non-oil exports.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture on Saturday, Herovik Yarijanian said that, although the full potential of the agreement has not yet been realized due to the recent war imposed by the Zionist regime against Iran, the mechanism of the deal is moving in a positive direction. “With stability and calm restored, we will certainly achieve favorable results,” he added.

Yarijanian emphasized that greater familiarity among Iranian traders with the Eurasian market and its trade mechanisms is vital for maximizing the benefits of the free trade agreement. He suggested that the government, in cooperation with the Iran Chamber of Commerce and the joint chambers with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan, should hold a series of regular and well-planned seminars to accelerate the agreement’s outcomes.

The head of the Iran-Armenia Joint Chamber of Commerce also recommended sending and receiving business delegations between Iran and Eurasian member states to strengthen relations more rapidly.

Highlighting Armenia as Iran’s main channel to the Russian market, Yarijanian underscored the need to deepen trade and economic ties. He noted that despite the short time since the Eurasia agreement came into effect, Iran’s exports to Armenia have already recorded a modest increase in recent months.

Yarijanian emphasized that greater familiarity among Iranian traders with the Eurasian market and its trade mechanisms is vital for maximizing the benefits of the free trade agreement. He suggested that the government, in cooperation with the Iran Chamber of Commerce and the joint chambers with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan, should hold a series of regular and well-planned seminars to accelerate the agreement’s outcomes.

The head of the Iran-Armenia Joint Chamber of Commerce also recommended sending and receiving business delegations between Iran and Eurasian member states to strengthen relations more rapidly.

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – According to the latest report released by Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization, Iran’s exports to Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) states have grown by 6 percent.

According to report Iran’s exports to EEU from mid-November 2019 to August 21 have grown 6 percent comparing to the same period in the preceding year.

The report shows that Russia tops the EEU countries for Iran’s exports while Iran has had the lowest exports to Belarus. By the way Iran has had the most imports from Russia and the least from Kyrgyzstan.

According to the statistics of Iran Customs Administration Office, the total trade volume of Iran with five members of EEU in the first five months of the current year has stood at $2.79b which shows 6 percent growth comparing to the same period last year ($2.63b).

Meanwhile the total volume of Iran’s exports to EEU member states between mid-November 2019 and August 21, 2020 has been $833.9m which shows 21 percent growth comparing to the same period in the preceding year ($679.8m).

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – Head of Iran Trade Promotion Organization says that 15 neighboring states accounted for 70 percent of Iran’s exports in the first half of the year while the figure was 55 percent in 2018 and 60% in 2019.

Hamid Zadboum said that Iran had exports worth over $24b to its neighboring states and according to the conducted studies, there is currently a 125-billion-dollar capacity for exports to 15 neighboring countries.

He added that the existing capacity has been assessed based on the history of exports of goods and needed items by the neighboring countries.

Zadboum also pointed to the 14-percent decline in international trade, adding that due to the Coronavirus pandemic in the world, most countries are currently challenging with the virus and land borders have been closed and they have faced with more declines in exports.

He added that Iran is also not an exception, adding that 20 joint land borders of Iran with neighboring states were closed in this period and it stroke a heavy blow to Iran’s economy.

Zadboum also referred to the rise in exports to the Eurasian Union member states especially to Russia and Kazakhstan during the pandemic, noting that with reopening of the land borders with neighboring states, the 50-percent decline in exports in April improved to 34% in the first half of the year.

He then explained about the great difference between imports and exports, saying that one of the reasons is the halt in export of gas to Turkey.

Zadboum said that Iran’s exports to Turkey were around $513m in the first five months of the year while the figure was $2.47b in the same period last year and this $2b difference is because of halt in export of natural gas to Turkey.

He also blamed the closure of land borders for the decline in exports, saying that the almost-two-month-closure of borders with neighboring states as well as the virus pandemic was the major reasons in the decline in exports, reiterating that Iran still faces restrictions for exports in the Turkmenistan border.

Zadboum added that despite reopening of land borders, due to the huge number of trucks in the borders, exports have faced a sluggish move in some borders due to the traffic of trucks.

On the problems related to exports, he said the most important challenge in front of exports to neighboring states is trade infrastructures and border terminals as well as lack of appropriate support of exporters by national banking system.

Zadboum also said that to increase the number of trade agreements with other states, it is necessary to reach a balance in trade exchanges.

He further said that trade restrictions with some countries that we have agreements should reduce and the imports should be directed to those countries whose imports from Iran are more.

He also blamed the large number of decision-making bodies in the country and regulations which harm the foreign trade, adding that it should be organized but in the current condition, some part of decisions are made due to the special condition of the country and restrictions for the Coronavirus and sanctions.

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – The chairman of Iran-UAE Joint Chamber of Commerce Farshid Farzanegan says “Iran’s exports to the United Arab Emirates increased by 16% in the first four months of the year.

Speaking to ILNA news agency, the Iranian official added that despite economic problems and the spread of the coronavirus, the UAE was the only country to which Iran’s exports increased.

“Iran’s exports to the UAE were $ 4.5 billion and our imports from this country were $ 8.9 billion, in other words, the volume of trade between the two countries is $ 13.4 billion.”

Referring to the recent agreement between Israel and UAE, he confirmed “Economic relations must be separate from political issues; due to sanctions, we do not have many options for trade exchanges, and Turkey and the UAE are two countries where Iranian traders have maintained their activities.”

Statistics indicated that export of products from Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Arab Emirates from March 21 to June 22, 2020 increased about 40% in terms of volume as compared to the same period of last year and hit from about 2.4 million tons to 3.4 million tons.

Farzanegan noted that exports of Iran’s agro products to the UAE is very important and many powerful traders are active in this field whose trade relations with the UAE dates back to over 40 years and they have kept their businesses alive despite ups and downs in political relations of both states.

He then pointed to the major imported or exported goods between both countries, saying that till last year, petrochemical materials, mineral materials, industrial products, industrial machineries and agro products have been the major export items of Iran to the UAE and graphite electrodes have been the major UAE’s exports to Iran as import of this commodity from other countries except the UAE is impossible for Iran.

Farzanegan also pointed to the performance of the forex shops in the UAE, reiterating that there is currently no problem regarding the forex shops in the UAE and the money transactions in this country is done much faster than other countries in the Persian Gulf and even in Oman.

He noted that the UAE is not the vital vein for arrival of money into the country but the country is definitely a gateway for it, reiterating that all re-exports and re-imports are done through the UAE because the UAE has been turned into a hub in the region in terms of imports and exports.

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – Spokesman to Iran Customs Administration Seyed Ruhollah Latifi says Iran’s exports to Eurasian Union states have been $1.24b in 11 months this year and the total trade with those states is around $2.5b.

Latifi yesterday said that Iran’s exports in 11 months this year have exceeded $1.24b while the figure was $550m in the same period last year and it indicates 105 percent growth.

On the importance of trade with Eurasian Union states, he said that the whole members of the union have noticeable economic indexes, adding that the union ranks first in extracting oil which accounts for 14.5 percent of value of the resources in the world. He went on to say that the union also ranks first in gas production with producing 20.2 percent of global gas production.

Latifi noted that the union members also rank 4^th, 3^rd and fourth in producing production of electricity, railway line, and iron production, respectively. He reiterated that Eurasia also ranks fifth in the world in terms of producing steel.

He further said the total GDP of those member states stands at 4.7 trillion with an area over 20m square meters and population more than 184m.

He said these indexes encourage Iran to boost its foreign trade with this big bloc. Three members of the union like Russia, Kazakhstan and Armenia are neighbors with Iran as Russia and Kazakhstan have marine borders and Armenia has land border with Iran and those countries’ annual imports are around $400b.

Latifi reiterated that Iran’s exports in 11 months this year have grown 105 percent and reached $1.24b.

He said Russia is the major destination for Iran’s exports as the country’s exports to Russia have been around $387m and Armenia and Kazakhstan are the next major destinations for Iran’s exports in the union.

He further said fresh apple, LNG, pistachio, kiwi, cucumber, fermented cucumber, dried grape and orange are the major exported goods to those states.

Latifi also pointed to the volume of imported goods from Eurasian Union states, adding that the volume of imports from those countries in 11 months has been around 2.8m tons while the figure was 1.2m tons in the preceding year. He added that the value of imports from those states is $1.2b which shows a little drop comparing the same period in the preceding year.

He said sunflower oil, meat, wheat, cereals and barley have been the major imports from those states. He also pointed to the free trade agreement between Iran and Eurasian states, saying that according to the agreement which came into effect in November, 380 items of goods can be traded with certain tariffs.

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