In Tehran, a joint conference on the development of agricultural cooperation, standards and agro-food trade between Iran and the EU commenced on Monday. It was attended by over 300 officials from both the European Union and Iranian ministries of Agriculture, Health and Medical Education, as well as Industry, Mines and Trade. The two-day conference is focusing on developing standards for agricultural and food products, removing barriers in the way of exports and strengthening trade relations between the two sides.
Speaking at the event, the Director General Houman Fathi of the Office of International Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture mentioned the country’s potential and capabilities in the agro-food sector: “In the case of development of cooperation between Iran and the European Union, the production of livestock, poultry, fruits, vegetables and fish could double in the next 10 years.”
According to tehrantimes.com, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Commercial and Agricultural Industries Ali Akbar Mehrfard also pointed to Iran’s production levels noting: “Annually, 122 tons of agricultural products are produced in Iran, including 15-16 tons of protein products, 22 million tons of fruits and vegetables … and 82 million tons of crops.”
Putting Iran-EU trade in the agro-food sector at $2.5-3 billion, Mehrfard called for a further expansion of trade between both parties.