Iran’s Tea Industry Brews Success: Exports Reach $17m
A Steep Rise in Exports
Iran’s tea exporters have shipped a total of 13,000 tons of tea worth $17 million over the past 11 months, marking a significant surge. Habib Jahansaz, head of the Iran Tea Organization, reports that Russia and India have emerged as the top destinations for Iranian tea, driving the industry’s growth.
A Unique Selling Point
Iran’s Tea Industry actively adopts eco-friendly practices, carving out a niche in global markets. Countries seeking premium tea actively seek out Iranian products. The Ministry of Agriculture actively cultivates 22,000 hectares of tea plantations, yielding 28,000 tons of dried tea worth 25 trillion rials ($50 million). By actively maintaining zero-pesticide farming methods, Iran actively boosts its tea exports.
Diversifying Revenue Streams
Iran’s economy is booming thanks to the surge in tea exports. Moreover, the country is actively diversifying its revenue streams by focusing on non-oil exports. Specifically, Iran’s Tea Industry is driving this process forward. Furthermore, in 2022, non-toxic tea shipments to India reached $1.89 billion, as reported by the United Nations COMTRADE database. By adopting zero-pesticide standards, Iran is poised to expand its market share globally.
Tea Imports Take a Hit
Meanwhile, Iran’s tea imports have declined significantly over the past year. In the first 10 months of the year, the country imported 38,000 tons of tea, down from 42,000 tons last year and over 100,000 tons in 2022. This decline is attributed to the growth of the domestic tea industry and the increasing demand for Iranian tea globally.
A Promising Future
Iran’s Tea Industry is driving economic diversification efforts by capitalizing on its rapid growth. Meanwhile, its chemical-free tea offerings position the country to tap into the global demand for premium tea. Furthermore, latest data reveals that Iran exported $1.2 billion worth of goods to India in the first eight months of the Iranian calendar year, signaling a promising trend.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its growth, Iran’s Tea Industry faces challenges. Specifically, the devaluation of the Iranian currency threatens Indian tea and rice imports. This increased cost may hinder sales of high-end tea, impacting Iran’s tea exports. Nevertheless, the industry has achieved significant milestones, with exports reaching $17 million. Moreover, as the industry expands, it will likely play a vital role in Iran’s economic diversification efforts. Leveraging its eco-friendly tea offerings, Iran is poised to capitalize on the global demand for premium tea.
Source: Tehran Times