Iran Exports over 300,000 Tons of Wheat in 3 Months

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran, in the past a big wheat importer, exported more than 300,000 tons of the grain in the three months starting in September, an Iranian daily reported on Wednesday.

Iran shipped a total of 327,917 tons, roughly two-thirds by the private sector, during the period to destinations including India, Italy and neighboring Persian Gulf states, Tehran Times said.

“By establishing two docks and utilizing advanced port facilities as well as allocating export goods warehouses in Imam Khomeini Port, the country’s export of wheat went beyond 300,000 tons,” the daily said, referring to a southern Iranian port.

Iran – previously a big importer of wheat from Canada, Australia and Argentina – said it was self-sufficient in 2004 although it continued to import after that time.

The Commerce Ministry said in July Iran would export 1 million tons of wheat to neighboring Iraq by the end of the Iranian year which ends on March 19, and other officials later confirmed the exports had already started.

In June, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Reza Eskandari said Iran expected to produce more than 15 million tons of wheat in the current Iranian year and would only need 11 million tons for domestic consumption, leaving the rest for export.

Earlier this month, the Egyptian trade industry said it had held talks with Iran over the possibility of importing Iranian wheat.

Egypt was not among countries mentioned by Tehran Times as a destination for Iranian wheat exports in the three-month period, which also included Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Bangladesh as well as African countries.

“As a leading port in the export of wheat, Imam Khomeini Port has announced preparedness to export up to 2 million tons of wheat by March 19, 2008,” the daily said, referring to the end of the current Iranian year.