Iran is the seventh largest producer of tomatoes in the world, despite economic challenges and international sanctions. The country has seen a increase in tomato production in recent years, reaching 951,000 tonnes in Fars province alone in 2020. The country has also seen a shift from open cultivation to greenhouse and hydroponic farming. In 2020, Iran's tomato paste exports reached 16,000 metric tonnes, a 200% increase from the previous year, with Turkey being the largest importer. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran's tomato productivity and acreage have increased, and the Agriculture Ministry is planning to develop the country's processing industry.