Iran Denies Potato Import Rumor

EghtesadOnline: Close to 5 million tons of potatoes are produced in Iran every year, which meets domestic demand and a portion of which is exported, Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture announced.

News ID: ۷۷۴۳۸۱

05 March 2017

The ministry was reacting to a report published by Indian newspaper Hindustan Times, claiming that 5,000 tons and 2,800 tons of potatoes will be exported from the North Indian state of Punjab to Iran and Russia respectively.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Abbas Keshavarz dismissed the news as false, stressing that Iran’s local potato production exceeds domestic demand and there is no reason to import 5,000 tons of the produce, according to Financial Tribune.

“For the first time, Iranians and Russians will consume potatoes from Punjab’s farmlands. The State Agriculture Department and Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited are working out modalities for exporting the crop to the two countries,” reads the report published on Wednesday.

According to Iran’s Agriculture Ministry, nearly 500,000 tons of potatoes worth $172 million were exported during the 10 months to Jan. 19.