Iran is expanding its reach in the global seafood market, exporting aquatic products to 45 countries and predicting a total of 300,000 tons of exports by year-end.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, the head of Iran’s Fisheries Organization, announced a significant 32% increase in the volume and a 24% rise in the value of seafood exports in the first five months of this year. Key products include marine fish, prepared aquatic feed, and shrimp, which have seen strong demand in international markets.
Iran’s Growing Global Seafood Market: Exporting to 45 Countries
Hosseini highlighted that Iran exported 68,000 tons of seafood in the first five months of 2024, marking a 32% increase compared to the same period last year. He also referenced last year’s record of exporting 210,000 tons of seafood to over 50 countries, generating $650 million in revenue. This growth, he noted, is a testament to Iran’s commitment to international standards.
Looking ahead, Iran is aiming to achieve exports of 300,000 tons of aquatic products, valued at around $700 million by the end of the year. The Fisheries Organization is also working on initiatives like certifying fisheries and tagging seafood products to ensure traceability from production to post-harvest.
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Hosseini emphasized that Iran’s seafood production continues throughout the year and has numerous advantages, such as requiring less water for production, offering healthy and high-demand products, and being well-received in both domestic and international markets. The country is also focused on increasing the value of its seafood exports, with specific attention to premium products like “sashimi” to boost market appeal.
This steady growth in Iran’s seafood industry presents a lucrative opportunity for foreign investors looking to tap into a well-regulated and rapidly growing market.
