Shrimp exports of Iran has witnessed a substantial 22% increase in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-September 22), marking significant growth compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, as reported by Ali-Akbar Khodaei, the secretary of the Aquatics Production and Trade Union of Iran. The export figures reveal a notable achievement, with 13,500 tons of shrimps valued at $60 million making their way to international markets during this six-month timeframe.
Key export destinations for Iranian shrimps during this period included Russia, the United Arab Emirates, China, Lebanon, Egypt, Spain, France, Britain, and neighboring countries, underlining the expanding global reach of Iran’s aquaculture industry.
The positive trajectory of Iran’s aquaculture sector extends beyond shrimp exports, with the country making significant strides in global fishery product production. The head of the Iran Fisheries Organization (IFO), Hossein Hosseini, disclosed that the nation exported fishery products amounting to US $600 million in the previous Iranian calendar year 1401, showcasing the industry’s robust performance. With a positive balance of US $520 million, there is a considerable potential for Iran in shrimp exports up to US $2 billion.
Iran’s achievements in aquaculture have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognizes Iran’s responsible and central role in the regional fishing and aquaculture sector, positioning the country as a model for neighboring nations. The growth and development of Iran’s aquaculture industry have reached a stage where it serves as an exemplary model globally.
Despite facing sanctions, Iran’s fishery industry continues to thrive, and the entry of young specialists and knowledge-based experts into various sectors of the field has played a pivotal role in rendering the sanctions ineffective. The collaboration between executive bodies like the IFO and the contributions of research and knowledge-based activities underscore Iran’s resilience and success in the face of challenges, making it a force to be reckoned with in the global fishery market.
