Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh grapes are widely produced in Iran, with notable vineyard areas including Takestan (Qazvin Province) and West Azerbaijan, and FAO-recognized traditional grape production in Jowzan Valley. Thompson Seedless (Sultana/Sultanieh) is reported as a widely grown variety used for table grapes and raisin/juice production, alongside local cultivars such as Askari and Shahani. Iran functions as a producer market with exportable surplus; UN Comtrade-based WITS data shows exports to regional markets including Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan. Practical trade execution can be constrained by sanctions-related payment, insurance, and counterparty-screening requirements, making compliance planning a key determinant of feasible export channels.
Market RoleProducer and regional exporter
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market with substantial vineyard production; in some producing areas a large share of grapes is also dried/processed into raisins and other grape products
SeasonalitySeasonality varies by region and climate; available sources indicate late-summer to early-autumn harvest activity in some northern/northeastern regions.
Specification
Primary VarietyThompson Seedless (Sultana/Sultanieh)
Secondary Variety- Askari
- Shahani
- Bidaneh (seedless types)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Vineyard harvest → field sorting → packing/conditioning → refrigerated transport (where available) → border clearance → importer distribution in regional markets
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Sanctions Compliance HighInternational sanctions and related counterparty, payment, insurance, and transport restrictions can block or severely disrupt Iran-origin trade, even for agricultural products, depending on jurisdiction and transaction structure.Run rigorous sanctions and counterparty screening; map the full payment/insurance/shipping chain for restricted parties; use specialized legal/compliance review for the target market before contracting.
Logistics MediumFresh grapes are highly time- and temperature-sensitive; land-route border delays and cold-chain breaks on shipments to key regional destinations can reduce shelf life and increase rejection/claims risk.Use pre-cooling where available, validated refrigerated transport, temperature loggers, and route plans that minimize border dwell time; align harvest/packing schedule to transit time.
Climate MediumIran’s water-resource constraints and water-stress conditions elevate the risk of irrigation shortfalls and drought impacts that can constrain supply or affect fruit quality.Prioritize suppliers with documented irrigation-water security and on-farm water management; diversify sourcing regions within Iran where feasible.
Sustainability- Water-stress and irrigation-management exposure for agriculture in an arid/semi-arid national context (FAO AQUASTAT); localized irrigation scheduling practices are documented for traditional grape systems (FAO GIAHS Jowzan Valley).
- Drought-driven variability risk for perennial vineyard productivity and quality where irrigation water availability tightens (FAO AQUASTAT).
Labor & Social- Human-rights related sanctions regimes in some jurisdictions can increase reputational and compliance screening for Iran-origin supply chains (Council of the EU sanctions framework).
FAQ
Which countries are key destinations for Iran’s fresh-grape exports?UN Comtrade-based WITS data for 2022 lists Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan among the main destinations for Iran’s fresh-grape exports.
What is the biggest trade-blocking risk when sourcing fresh grapes from Iran?Sanctions-related restrictions and counterparty screening can block or severely disrupt transactions (payments, insurance, and transport), depending on the jurisdiction and transaction structure, so compliance review is essential before contracting.
Which grape variety is widely grown in Iran for table use and raisin production?Research published via the International Society for Horticultural Science reports Thompson Seedless (Sultana/Sultanieh) as a widely grown variety in Iran used for table grapes as well as raisin and juice production.