Not every country's climate is suitable for food production. This is a factor that affects a country's ability to produce food. As a result, many countries rely on others to meet their food needs. Currently, at least 34 countries are unable to produce their food due to climate and agricultural land limitations, which can position some countries as leading exporters.
In this article, we aim to discuss food exports and key points regarding certain agricultural products, including fruit and saffron (with a 95% share of global production), which are grown in Iran's favorable climate.
Food Exports in Iran:
The global food trade is a diverse and complex process, with most countries striving to enter it and become top exporters. It is expected that by 2050, more than half of the world's population will depend on other countries for food imports.
The expansion and diversity of the food trade depend on various factors, such as new preservation techniques, packaging, rapid transportation, consumer tastes and dietary habits, and the purchasing power of people in a country.
Meanwhile, Iran's food exports are thriving, and according to reports, in 2017, they experienced a 7% growth rate higher than oil exports. Numerous studies indicate that Iran's climate and fertile soil provide conditions for producing a wide range of food products, potentially making it one of the world's top exporters in the future.
Iran's major food exports include oilseeds, various oils, halva, tomato paste, fruits, vegetables, raisins, saffron, dates, dried fruits, nuts, tea, herbal infusions, seafood, honey, and more.
Which Countries Have the Highest Food Exports?
The United States exports more food than any other country in the world, with its primary export destinations being Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and Germany. A significant portion of the U.S.'s total agricultural production over the past two decades (including milk, soybeans, wheat, sugar beets, sugarcane, potatoes, and poultry) has been exported to other countries. After the United States, recognized as the world's top food exporter, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Belgium, and Italy rank as the second to tenth largest food exporters globally.
Fruit Exports from Iran:
Fruit exports from Iran to other countries are subject to regulations set by the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade through customs. Only licensed producers and individuals with a commercial card can export fruits and food products.
Compliance with necessary packaging standards, obtaining permits and approvals from the Ministry of Health, securing customs clearance, and choosing fast and reliable shipping methods are other critical considerations for exporting various fruits, including pomegranates, cucumbers, apricots, berries, cherries, melons, apples, walnuts, watermelons, sour cherries, kiwis, tangerines, lemons, oranges, peaches, grapes, and more.
Saffron Exports:
Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, is aptly called "red gold." Iran is the largest producer of saffron globally, accounting for approximately 95% of production, and its saffron is recognized as the highest quality worldwide. In 2019, saffron imports from Iran to the United Arab Emirates accounted for 6% of global imports, valued at $13 million.
The first step in saffron exports is appropriate pricing, which must be determined by the customs pricing commission. Typically, packaging is not mandatory for saffron quantities exceeding 30 grams, but for amounts below this, high-quality and elegant packaging is required. Obtaining a standard certificate, a plant health certificate (if applicable), an export introduction letter, customs clearance, and a commercial card are other steps in the saffron export process.
written by: Sara Ebrahimi
