Oilseed Production Meets 8% of Domestic Demand

EghtesadOnline: Domestic demand for raw vegetable oil stands at about 1.5 million tons per year, the manager of Oilseeds Project carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture said.

News ID: ۷۷۶۷۸۱

06 June 2017

“This year, the government is planning to purchase 400,000 tons of oilseeds from local farmers, from which close to 120,000 tons of raw vegetable oil will be produced. This amount will meet 8% of domestic demand, up from 5% the year before,” Alireza Mohajer was also quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency. The current Iranian year started on March 21.

The official said colza production will reach 200,000 tons this year to register a threefold increase compared with the previous year.

“Alongside colza, soybeans, safflower and sunflower seeds are being cultivated in the country as well. Last year, close to 135,000 tons of soybeans were produced, registering a 60% increase compared with the previous year,” he said. Mohajer estimated that 15,000 tons of safflower would be produced this year. “About 250,000 tons of sesame and cotton seeds are expected to be produced this year,” he said, adding that these two crops are not included in the government’s guaranteed purchase program.

Every year, according to Financial Tribune, the government buys certain strategic crops, including oilseeds from local farmers at guaranteed prices, to build up its strategic reserves and control prices in the domestic market.