Report by Keinia: Iran has faced a setback in its pistachio exports to the European Union, with 16 out of 226 shipments of pistachios returned due to technical issues. This issue has brought attention to the complexities of international trade, especially when it comes to meeting the strict health protocols imposed by importing countries.

According to Mohammad Mehdi Broomandi, the Deputy Minister of Horticulture at the Ministry of Agriculture, the primary cause for the rejections was a disagreement over hygiene protocols. Despite these challenges, Broomandi emphasized that the total export of pistachios from Iran to the EU amounts to 7,500 tons annually, which accounts for only 5% of the total pistachio exports. This represents a small portion of the nearly 140,000 tons of pistachios Iran exports globally each year.

Broomandi further explained that Iran’s pistachio production comes from 620,000 hectares of land, with an annual yield of approximately 300,000 to 350,000 tons. Despite the minor setbacks with the 16 shipments, the remaining 210 shipments were successfully delivered with health certifications from the Iranian Food and Drug Administration.

Resolving the Technical Disputes

Minister of Agriculture, Gholamreza Nourizadeh, acknowledged that the issue was not isolated to Iranian pistachios. Other countries, including the U.S. and Turkey, had faced similar concerns with their exports. However, he emphasized that Iran was actively addressing the technical issues raised by European authorities.

“The issues raised were not exclusive to Iranian pistachios. We have already initiated corrective measures in cooperation with farmers and the relevant pistachio unions to resolve these concerns,” Nourizadeh commented.

He assured that the issues were minor and would be rectified soon. The Iranian government is working closely with European authorities and local producers to ensure that the necessary adjustments are made swiftly.

Also read: Iran’s Nuts Exports Face Significant Decline, Calls for Policy Changes

Impact of External Factors on Pistachio Quality

A significant factor contributing to the rejections was the external conditions during the pistachio harvest season, including power outages and extreme temperature fluctuations. These factors resulted in smaller pistachio nuts this year, which impacted the product’s overall quality.

In response to these challenges, Majid Hojat, the President of the Ravar Chamber of Commerce, noted that the shipments rejected by Europe were from last year’s harvest. He pointed out that the quality of the pistachios this year has improved, particularly in terms of pest control and the absence of harmful chemicals.

Hojat further stated that the EU has given Iran a six-month window to address the rejections and to bring the shipments in line with updated European standards. One of the new protocols includes vacuum packaging of pistachios in 10-kilogram bags, which is aimed at improving product preservation and preventing contamination.

Looking Ahead: Steps for Improvement

As the situation progresses, Iran’s pistachio industry is taking proactive steps to address the technical and quality concerns raised by European authorities. The government is working closely with farmers and industry leaders to ensure that future shipments meet all required standards and that the export process runs smoothly.

With pistachios being one of Iran’s most valuable export products, valued at up to $1.5 billion annually, the government is committed to resolving these issues swiftly to avoid further disruptions. The measures being taken now are expected to restore confidence in Iranian pistachios on the global market, ensuring that future shipments meet the stringent requirements of international buyers.

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