FNA - Iran considerably increased its horticultural products' exports in the first five months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2018-August 22, 2018) compared with the previous year's corresponding period.

"Three billion dollars worth of fruits were exported in the first five months of the current year," Deputy Agricultural Jihad Minister Mohammad Ali Tahmasbi told reporters on Sunday.


He underlined Iran's capacities for exporting crops such as pistachio, date, saffron, raisin, ornamental flowers and plants and citrus.


In relevant remarks in mid-August, Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mojtaba Khosrotaj said that the value of Iran's non-oil exports increased 14.7% in the first four months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2018-July 22, 2018).


"Based on the figures provided by the customs office, the value of Iran's non-oil exports increased 14.7% in the first four months of the current (Iranian) year (started on March 21)," Khosrotaj told reporters in Tehran.


He added that the value of Iran's exports of industrial and mineral products in the same period stood at $9.7bln.


Also, Iran has exported 30% more chemical products to foreign states, and earned $7.8bln for these exports, Khosrotaj said.


The latest report by Iran's Customs Administration (ICA) showed late last month that Iran�s non-oil exports increased by over 14 percent in the first four months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2018-July 22, 2018).


"Iran�s non-oil trade with other countries registered a $271 million positive balance and non-oil exports also increased 14.69 percent," the customs report said.


Iran exported $15.45 billion of non-oil products during the said period with 14.69 percent rise from $13.471 billion of last year's corresponding period.


Major export items included gas condensates valued at 1.86 billion dollars, liquefied propane worth 691 million dollars, and low-density oils and their byproducts except for gasoline valued at 555 million dollars.


Among the exports, polyethylene film grade valued at 411 million dollars, and methanol worth 470 million dollars.


China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Afghanistan and South Korea were the main export markets of Iranian non-oil goods during the four-month period.