The decline in Iranian olive production expected

EghtesadOnline: A total of 109,834 tons of olives are estimated to be produced in Iran during the current Iranian year (started March 21) to register an 8.47% decline compared with last year’s yields, the executive manager of the Agriculture Ministry’s “Olive Project” said. “We hope 55% of this year’s harvest will be sent to oil extraction factories,” Javad Mir-Arab Razi was also quoted as saying by Mizan Online.The official noted that presently there are 75,000 hectares of olive farms across the country, 58,000 hectares of which are productive.“Last year, 120,000 tons of olives were produced. Yet, the decline we expect in this year’s production is due to the unfavorable weather conditions facing the country. Cold spells as well as water shortage have damaged olive plantations,” he added.Based on figures released by the Agriculture Ministry, annual domestic demand for olive oil currently stands close to 15,000 tons, part of which is imported.Olive oil is mainly imported ...