Exports have been posting strong growth since Dec. 22, the start of winter, and have kept up the upward trend to narrow monthly trade deficit from $2 billion in Azar (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) to a trade surplus of $1.22 billion in Bahman.
Monthly exports rose by 26% to reach $3.97 billion in the Iranian month of Dey (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) compared to the previous month.
Iran’s non-oil foreign trade during the 11 months to Feb. 19 stood at $89.34 billion, indicating a 16.17% rise compared to last year’s corresponding period, according to Financial Tribune.
Exports hit 117.95 million tons worth $41.69 billion, indicating a 4.96% decline in value year-on-year.
Imports amounted to 33.93 million tons worth $47.65 billion, up 23.61% in value YOY.
Gas condensates ($6.33 billion), liquefied natural gas ($2.5 billion), liquefied propane ($1.33 billion), methanol ($1.07 million) and light crude oil, excluding gasoline ($1.06 billion), were the main exported commodities. Exports of commodities other than the aforementioned items rose by 14.4% YOY to reach $21.13 million.
Imports mainly included auto parts ($1.57 billion), field corn ($1.43 billion), rice ($1.26 billion), soybean ($838 million) and vehicles of engine displacement between 1500 cc and 2000 cc, except for ambulance and hybrid cars ($739 million).
China was the main customer of Iranian products during the 11-month period, as Iran exported $8.22 billion worth of goods to the Asian country, 11.29% more than the corresponding period of last year.
Other major export destinations included the UAE ($5.86 billion), Iraq ($5.57 billion), Turkey ($3.87 billion) and South Korea ($3.79 billion).
Exports to South Korea and Turkey rose by 41.8% and 30.71% respectively compared to the last year, but the UAE imported 14.9% less goods from Iran YOY.
Major exporters to Iran included China ($11. 53 billion), the UAE ($8.75 billion), South Korea ($3.29 billion), Turkey ($2.86 billion) and Germany ($2.64 billion).