“The figure is estimated to rise between $550 million and $580 million by the [fiscal] yearend [March 20, 2019],” Hassan Salehi was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
Isa Golshahi, director general of Seafood Quality Improvement, Processing and Market Promotion Department affiliated to IFO, said in June that more than 137,580 tons of fish and seafood products worth $507 million were exported from Iran during the last fiscal year (March 2017-18), showing a rise of 24% and 22% in weight and value respectively compared with the preceding year, ILNA reported.
Shrimp exports stood at a record high of 24,780 tons worth $116 million, registering a 64% and 67% growth in volume and value respectively year-on-year, Financial Tribune reported.
Golshahi noted that the import of seafood and seafood products over the same period stood at more than 66,530 tons worth around $159 million, indicating a 20% and 17% decrease in weight and value respectively YOY. China, the Philippines, Spain, South Korea, France, Denmark, Belgium, Malaysia and India were the main exporters.
Per capita seafood production and consumption in Iran amount to 13 kilograms and 10.6 kilograms respectively.