Reported by Keinia Group, Citing Isna: Mohammad Mahdi Boromandi, Deputy Minister of Horticulture at the Ministry of Agriculture, has announced a new agreement with European partners regarding a revised export protocol for pistachios. Speaking at the 8th National Pistachio Festival in Rafsanjan, he emphasized the importance of moving from subsistence farming to a modern, commercialized agricultural approach in order to boost production.

Boromandi highlighted that Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture has established a National Pistachio Committee to address the challenges faced by farmers. “With the support of farmers and producers, we must ensure accessibility, production sustainability, and food safety. Iran, being a dry and semi-arid country, faces climate change challenges, and despite these difficulties, farmers continue to produce high-quality crops,” he said.

Also read: American Pistachios Labeled as Iranian: Challenges Faced by Iranian Traders in International Markets

According to Boromandi, Iran generates approximately $6 billion in annual agricultural export revenue, with $3 billion coming from horticultural products. While horticulture occupies 18% of the country’s arable land, it provides 38% of agricultural employment and accounts for 50% of the agricultural export revenue by producing 26 million tons of various horticultural products.

With nearly 600,000 hectares of pistachio orchards out of the 3 million hectares of orchards in Iran, pistachios are among the country’s most important horticultural products. Pistachios alone contribute approximately $1 billion in export revenue. “Rafsanjan is the birthplace and capital of pistachios worldwide, and we must prioritize the development of this sector,” Boromandi added.

Addressing the challenges posed by small-scale farming, Boromandi pointed out that 85% of Iranian farmers own less than three or four hectares of land. He noted that this scale of farming complicates the value chain, urging for a shift toward modern, commercialized farming practices to align with global production and consumption trends. “Countries that import our products are increasingly concerned about food safety, and this is becoming a key focus for governments worldwide,” he said.

Boromandi stressed the need for traceable production processes, sharing an example from the citrus export market: “When we opened the Chinese market to our citrus, they inspected our orchards, tested the trees and the fruits, and issued certificates. As a result, we are now able to export citrus to China starting this year.”

He also announced a new agreement with European partners concerning a revised pistachio export protocol, following several rounds of negotiations. “Since last year, we have held multiple sessions with European stakeholders and reached an agreement on a new export protocol for pistachios,” Boromandi confirmed.

Despite global tightening of food safety regulations, Iran currently exports products to over 200 countries. Boromandi also noted that Iran remains a low user of fertilizers and pesticides compared to global averages, with pesticide use averaging less than one kilogram per hectare. Recent efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture have also focused on eliminating high-risk pesticides from the country’s farming practices.

On the topic of export revenues, Boromandi called for a differentiated approach for pistachio producers. “The challenges faced by pistachio farmers differ from those in industries like steel production. I have submitted multiple letters to the trade department on this matter. We must acknowledge the competitive pressure from countries like the United States and support our domestic producers and exporters.”

Also read: Iranian Pistachio Exports Decline Over Previous Years

He concluded by stressing the need for continued mechanization in the pistachio processing industry and the importance of water management in regions like Rafsanjan and Kerman. He also mentioned that 500,000 hectares of orchards have been registered with a national orchard identification system, and this project will continue to expand, allowing for better planning and management in the future. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of the Pistachio Research Institute in developing varieties adapted to local climatic conditions and addressing the critical issue of water availability.

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