The Stand of Horticultural Products in Iran Exportation

Interview with Jalal Darvish

The vast land of Iran with 1648195 km2 area and different variety of climate constantly had enjoyed different potentialities and actual possibilities for the production of various agricultural products specially fruit and other horticultural products.
According to statistics published by ministry of agriculture and union of fruit and other horticultural exporters, the production of the fruit and other agricultural products was estimated around 28 million tons in the year 1382.(21 March 2003-21 March 2004). According to the above figure the export market share of fruit and other gardening products comes to 3 percent of the total agricultural products. According to the statistics and figures published in regard with production and exportation of fruit and other horticultural. it is considered that Iran using the least potentials for production of fruit, has not down among the ten just producers in the world. While Iran has the best position in producing pomegranate and second position in the world for the producing of date and apricot.
The statistics in regard with production and exportation of some kinds of fruit and other horticultural products clearly show the stand point of this kind of production among the economic activities of Iran especially agricultural and gardening products which exceeds 60 million tons per year. Therefore there is no doubt that to employ the scientific methods for production and exportation of companies and foreign investors, especially British companies for improving exportation. Iran is capable of providing more jobs and improving the economy of the country and obtaining special position in the world market.

 

Production and export of some kinds of fruit and horticultural products
(Year 1382=21 March 2003- 21 march 2004)

Product	Production	Export	Product	Production	Export
Pear	200,000	2,000	Sweet Lemon	630,000	2,400
Apple	2,150,000	110,000	Orange	1,850,000	25,000
Grape	2,600,000	1,500	Grapefruit   *	42,000	800-100
Peach	227,000	1,200	Tangerine	680,000	26,000
Nectarine	75,000	500	Lime	410,000	2,400
Plum	145,000	200	Kiwi	47,000	10,000
Apricot	265,000	2,600	Pomegranate	570,000	18,600
Cherry	220,000	1,500	Fig	78,000	9,500
Sour Cherry	50,000	150	Persimmon	5,200	2,280
Quince	34,000	200	Banana	38,000	----
Barberry	4,600	----	Mango	12,500	----
Strawberry	25,000	----	Tea	225,000	----
Mulberry	26,000	80	Dates	870,000	110,000
Pistachio	300,000	140,000	Olive	35,000	----
Almond	90,000	4,000	Mushroom	15,000	360
Walnut	140,000	2,000	Saffron	150	125
Hazelnut	11,000	180	Medicinal Plants	40,000	25,000
Nuts	560,000	240,000

 

Hence for knowing more about the quantity and quality of production and exportation of fruit and other horticultural products, we manage an interview with the managers of Seebe Sorkh Company which is the most active member of IBCCIM, and if the company is not the most leading exporter of fruit and other horticultural products, but it is doubtless to say that is the main exporter of fruit and other horticultural to U.K.. Therefore we had a friendly talk and interview with Mr. Jalal Darvish the Chairman of the board of the Seebe Sorkh Company in regard with the position and formation of the production and export.

Exportations of fruit and other horticultural products to Europe was resumed by Mr. Hamid Kashani the ex-chairman of Koorosh store, and was halted during the Islamic Revolution victory.  But there were still some exportation to Emirates of Persian Gulf and Kuwait in small quantity in traditional way.
   Following halting exportations of red apple of Damavand (Damavand’s Seebe Sorkh) to Europe and U.K. which had been resumed before revolution, the Seebe Sorkh Company was established at Tehran and London Simultaneously in 1364.
   At the beginning the company started to export red apple of Damavand to U.K. experimentally, and also planned to improve the production of red apple as well. Accordingly using the scientific way of poisoning, fertilizing resulted in drop irrigation, caused the improvement of quantity of production and the brand name of S Seebe Sorkhe Damavand became well known to the market.
    It must be considered thatbefore choosing Damavand area for our production plan, which now enjoys the application of scientific methods of fertilizing, poisoning and even drop irrigation for apple production, we were present in other places such as Semirom and Maragheh. But eventually Damavand was selected for implementation of our plan. Now we export Seebe Sorkh (red apple) to U.K. around 1300 tons per year.
    In reply to the question regarding export of other horticultural products, Mr. Jalal Darvish said: Yes we export Melon, Watermelon, Pomegranate, Cherry and Dates, of course, excluding red apple, the exports of Pomegranate is more than other products.
    In the mean time we have plan to produce shrub Cucumber which in very near future will be supplied to foreign markets.
    Again in reply to the question in respect of exportations to other countries beside U.K., he said: there have been some limited exports to Germany, Holland, Switzerland and Belgium. Of course Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE are our export market targets and recently some Kuwaitis investors showed their inclinations for improving import of Iranian fruit and other horticultural products. Especially contrary to U.K. and European countries, there are no difficulties in transportations of fruit and other horticultural products to Dubai. 
     Mr. Darvish continued: recently we were able to do marketing for exporting sweet lemon to U.K. and Germany, and make the European consumers acquainted with this product which was so far unknown to them.
    Other products which we started to exports is Bam Mazafati Date, Which we were able to export them to U.K. around 100 tons last year, and there is a good possibility to gain a big market share in Europe.
    Again in reply to the question with respect to other competitors in the field of exports of apple and other horticultural products, Mr. Darvish said: yes, USA, France in the field of apple and Spain in producing Pomegranate are our main competitors exporting to Europe.
    But it seems the red apple of Iran due to its taste, quality, color and standard size which are being produced with no use of chemical fertilizer etc. is competitive  with similar products, if it enjoys the fine packaging and marketing of course we must stress on promotion of scientific methods of production and use of proper fertilizer, and poison, scientific irrigation to improve apple production.
     This procedure should not be difficult, since we how gained good experiences in regard with Damavand gardens.
    Therefore we are able to enter the world exports market and gain proper market share, in the same way as the exports of Damavand Seebe Sorkh was done.
    Another point which must be stated is the importance of attending at international exhibitions, which we participate to every year.
    For example last year we attended at the exhibition at Koeln, Germany, and we plan to participate at Sial exhibition at Paris in the October 2004.
    Attendance in these exhibitions is very fruitful, since we get acquainted with the improvements and new methods of production, marketing and the way of supplying goods in other countries at the world.
    By the way, in our opinion, Iran is a very vast country, enjoying the full season, which enable us to produce good quality of different agricultural products specially fruit and other horticultural products such as red apple which comparing to other varieties in different countries, enjoy the top rank of quality.
    Finally in addition to imply scientific and developing product, if we will be able to solve the problems concerning transportation and its expensive costs, we will be in the position to add our foreign exchange income and create more number of new jobs and employment, which is the most challenging issue in Iran’s economy.