“After many inspections and audits, IVO experts verified over the past month that Golestan’s shrimp meets the European Commission’s standards and can be exported directly to EU member states,” Mostafa Sedaqat, the head of Golestan Veterinary General Office's Public Relations told Financial Tribune.
Earlier, the official said, shrimp produced in the province used to be exported under brands belonging to southern provinces like Hormozgan.
“Gomishan shrimp farm in northwest Golestan is the only site producing farmed shrimps in the province. This huge facility has made infrastructural renovations and raised the bar on hygienic criteria to be able to meet the EC standards,” Financial Tribune quoted him as saying.
Sedaqat noted that 2,500 tons of shrimps are estimated to be produced in the province during the current Iranian year (March 2018-19).
“So far, plans are in place to export a first batch of about 50 kilograms of fresh shrimps to Spain. This will pave the way for further exports to Europe. Traders have to take the lead from here and find footholds in European markets. We already have exports to China, East Asia, the UAE and other littoral states of the Persian Gulf,” he said.
Shrimp produced in Golestan are of the litopenaeus vannamei species.