TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at a press conference ahead of Iran’s 29th National Export Day, Dehnavi described last year as “a remarkable and unprecedented year” for non-oil exports, with total exports hitting $57 billion, marking a 15.8 percent increase from the previous year — the highest figure in Iran’s trade history.

He noted that exports in the early months of this year faced setbacks due to events such as the 12-day war, an explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port, and energy shortages, but the trend improved in subsequent months.

According to Dehnavi, imports totaled $28.36 billion in the first half of this year — down 15 percent from $33.46 billion in the same period last year. He attributed this decline partly to tighter import controls, which reflect efforts to balance trade and reduce dependency on foreign goods.

He added that 85 percent of imports consist of raw materials and capital goods, emphasizing that a decline in imports is “not necessarily a positive sign,” as it could affect production.

Overall trade volume reached $54 billion in the first six months, showing a 9 percent decrease compared to the previous year. However, the trade deficit improved significantly, narrowing from a negative $7.5 billion last year.

Dehnavi stated that Iran’s Seventh Development Plan targets a 23 percent growth in exports. Despite internal and external challenges, he expressed optimism, saying the government is “committed to overcoming obstacles and achieving positive growth.”

The 29th National Export Day will be held at the end of October under the theme “Smart Trade, Export-Oriented Production.” The event will honor the country’s top exporters and promote a culture of export-driven growth.

Addressing the potential impact of the “snapback mechanism” (reactivation of international sanctions), Dehnavi said it poses restrictions on foreign trade but noted that “current conditions are not worse than before,” as U.S. sanctions have already limited access to formal financial systems.

He warned, however, that new restrictions could raise trade and financial transaction costs, especially in the oil sector. Despite this, Iran’s private sector has gained extensive experience in navigating such restrictions and developed alternative mechanisms to sustain trade.

Dehnavi also discussed the issue of exporters’ foreign exchange commitments (returning export proceeds to Iran), a policy introduced in 2018 and reinforced in 2022 under the amended Anti-Smuggling Law. While some exporters have complied, others have not.

He noted that not all returned currency is reflected in official statistics, as some imports occur through informal channels that are not government-approved.

Regarding gold imports, Dehnavi said that exporters were previously allowed to import gold to settle their currency commitments. However, the Central Bank of Iran has since limited this practice, citing no domestic demand for gold.

He explained that last year’s gold imports faced difficulties due to the absence of a regulated market and high conversion costs. To address this, a second trading platform will be launched, allowing exporters to exchange foreign currency more flexibly and at lower costs, without direct Central Bank intervention.

Dehnavi questioned the accuracy of currency allocation data reported by the Central Bank’s online systems, noting discrepancies in the amount of foreign currency that actually reaches importers.

He explained that for products like dried fruits, prices are aligned with global market rates and the free-market exchange rate, so exporters and producers are not harmed by currency fluctuations since domestic raw material prices are similarly tied to global benchmarks.

The TPO chief announced an extension for exporters from 2018 to 2021 to settle their foreign exchange obligations through rial-based settlements until the end of December 2025. Exporters can pay a fine to clear their records and re-enter the export cycle.

He said the program, initially set to end in September, was extended due to high demand but will not likely be renewed again. Exporters are urged to finalize their settlements before the deadline. “Non-Oil Exports”

Dehnavi also mentioned that a special committee was formed to handle delayed imports, granting temporary extensions to importers who faced legitimate obstacles such as sanctions, transportation issues, or banking restrictions. Failure to import goods within the given timeframe will result in heavy fines.

A comprehensive “Export Promotion and Currency Generation” package has been drafted under the Seventh Development Plan to enhance export support mechanisms, which is currently under review by the government.

Following the explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port, Dehnavi said several measures have been taken to compensate affected traders. The Central Bank has requested that impacted importers face no financial or trade restrictions until the end of the year and be provided with replacement foreign currency. However, he acknowledged that some compensation issues remain unresolved and require further follow-up with insurance authorities.

The post Non-Oil Exports Reach $25.94b in Six Months appeared first on Iran News Daily.

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.

The post Non-Oil Exports Grow 12% Under Current Gov’t appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The post Iran’s Non-Oil Exports to Iraq Up 21% in 5-Month Period: TPOI appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The post Oil, Non-Oil-Exports from Iran’s Bandar Anzali Up 46% in 5 Months appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The post Iran’s Non-Oil Exports Up 7% in Three Months appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The post Iran’s Non-Oil Exports to Afghanistan Rise by $123 Million in 3 Months appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The post Iran’s Non-Oil Exports to Iraq Up 27% in Three Months appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The post Iran’s Non-Oil Exports to Africa Hit $1.2 bln in 2 Years appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Iran exported 17.014 million tons of non-oil commodities worth $8.516 billion in the said two months, also registering a 1.6-percent rise in weight as compared to the first two months of the previous year, the data indicated.

Based on the IRICA data, Iran traded over 22.196 million tons of non-oil products worth $16.631 billion with other countries in the mentioned period, IRNA reported.

The Islamic Republic imported 5.182 million tons of non-oil commodities worth $8.115 billion in the first two months of the present year, with a 24-percent growth in value and a 3.37-percent decline in weight year on year.

Among the country’s non-oil export destinations, China was the first, importing $2.720 billion worth of products, the United Arab Emirates was the second with $1.502 billion worth of imports, Iraq the third importing $1.312 billion, Turkey the fourth with $766 million of imports, and India the fifth importing $290 million worth of products in the mentioned period.

Iran’s top sources of non-oil imports in the mentioned two months were China, Turkey, India, and Russia.

Considering the amounts of exports and imports in the mentioned two months, the country’s foreign trade balance became $401 million positive.

The value of Iran’s export of non-oil products increased 25 percent in the first month of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 – April 20), as compared to the same month of the past year, the deputy head of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Customs Administration announced.

Foroud Asgari also said that the country’s non-oil trade with other countries registered an $875-million positive balance in the first month.

Iran exported 7.324 million tons of non-oil commodities worth $3.699 billion in the said month, with a 10 percent drop in weight as compared to the first month of the previous year, the official stated.

The country’s monthly non-oil import stood at 2.252 million tons worth $2.824 billion, with a one percent rise in value and a 10 percent growth in weight year on year, he added.

As previously announced by the IRICA head, the value of Iran’s non-oil trade rose 38 percent in the past Iranian calendar year 1400, as compared to the previous year.

Alireza Moqadasi put the country’s non-oil trade at 162 million tons worth $100 billion in the past year.

The post Iran Non-Oil Exports Up 37% in 2 Months appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Ruhollah Latifi said that 10.117 million tons of commodities worth $5.102 billion were exported in the last month of the past year, indicating a two-percent decline in terms of weight.

The official further put Iran’s non-oil trade at 14.539 million tons valued at $11.538 billion in the said month, of which 4.422 million worth $6.436 billion was import.

As previously announced by the IRICA head, the value of Iran’s non-oil trade rose 38 percent in the past Iranian calendar year 1400, as compared to its previous year.

Alireza Moqadasi put the country’s non-oil trade at 162 million tons worth $100 billion in the past year.

He said that Iran exported 122 million tons of non-oil products worth $48 billion in the previous year, which was $14 billion (41 percent) more than the figure for its preceding year.

The country’s non-oil trade record in 1400 was reached while the toughest sanctions were imposed on Iran, but thanks to God and the efforts of entrepreneurs, producers and the cooperation of foreign trade-related organizations, a historical record was achieved in the past year which was unprecedented in recent decades, the official underlined.

The post Monthly non-oil export increases 37% year on year appeared first on Iran News Daily.