Russian official calls for increase in Iranian agricultural import

Demanding the increase in Iran-Russia trade exchange volume, Rajab Safarov in a meeting with Head of Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad Tehran Office Ali Ashraf Mansoori said, 'We are trying to pave the way for importing more agricultural products from Iran to Russia, since the products with regard to price and quality are competitive.' 

Saying that Iran-Russia economic exchange rate is lower than what is expected with regard to the common interests and the warm political ties between the two countries, he added,'The annual exchange value is only 1.5 billion US dollars, with 20 perccent export, which includes only some items like pistachios and bananas.'

Pointing to the Russia’s climate, Safarov expressed his country’s demand to import more high quality agricultural produce from Tehran Province.

According to IRNA, he also, as the head of Iran-Russia friendship society, invited Iran to take part in two Food Expos to introduce its export capabilities to the world.

The expositions will be held in February and September in Russia.

Mansoori in the meeting confirmed that Iranian authorities urged expansion of exports, particulary with Russia. 'Therefore, it is required that agriculture activists in Tehran Province be in touch with their Russian counterparts in order to have a better grasp of the market and its standards so that they accelerate the export expansion.' 

He pointed out that Tehran Province is on the first to third rankings among other Iranian provinces with regard to 11 agricultural products, including eggs, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, raw milk and apples.

Head of Tehran Province Agriculture-Jahad Ministry Office maintained that the province is an agriculture pole of the county and as the dock of Iran’s agricultural and industrial products, it has more capacity than other provinces in the country.

He also pointed to some barriers on the path of export, such as not approving and signing the green corridor agreement between the two countries, high taxes for exporting Iranian goods and lack of investment security, demanding holding joint meetings to discuss the issues and implementing the agreements.