Page 39 - IRANRptAug19

ordering systems were removed from both Apple and Google’s operating systems over sanctions violations.
Meanwhile, Apple decided to remove many Iranian apps from their system in March . The behemoth does not have a presence in Iran due to US sanctions, but its products including iPhones remain sought-after devices in the country, meaning several thousand Iranian app developers that produce software in Persian contribute to a local Apple ecosystem.
The digital raid on Iranian apps in March was not the first time that Iranian Apple users have been hit hard . In 2018, Iranian apps were quietly removed from the Apple iOS store. Iranians were able to sidestep that removal by loading applications onto their phones via technician mode. It appears that option may no longer be available because of the latest block put in place by Apple.
9.1.6 Agriculture sector news
Iranian importers have stopped paying for Indian basmati rice in recent months due to the US sanctions targeted at Tehran, the Business Standard has reported .
The situation has cut the basmati rice price by 12% m/m, allowing larger stocks to be used in India. Due to the US pressure to stop transactions involving business with Iran, many would-be Iranian importers of the rice have found finding ways to transfer the required large funds too cumbersome.
“Indian exporters are currently executing old orders. Hence, there is no export problem as of now. But, importers in Iran have stopped fresh payments for the past one month, bringing new orders to a complete halt. As long as advance payments to their accounts continue, exporters would face no issues. But, fresh exports would be difficult. Indian markets have already started responding to Iran’s payment stoppage, and basmati prices shed Rs 10 a kg or 12 percent the past one month,” said Sushil Jain, vice president of the All India Rice Exporters’ Association (AIREA).
Quoted sources in India suggested that Iranian buyers placed orders for INR18bn ($2mn) of basmati rice but then failed to find the mechanisms to pay for the shipments despite money remaining in bank accounts in India from previous Iranian crude oil sales to the country.
Iran is the largest buyer of basmati rice, accounting for nearly one-quarter of India’s annual exports of the food item.
Azerbaijan’s Food Safety Agency said it returned 400 tonnes of potatoes and kiwis back to Iran and Georgia over pest fears, according to Trend News Agency on July 9.
Growing exports from Iran to Caucasian countries are getting a mixed reception, with some exports not meeting quarantine and hygiene levels.
In the report, FSA said, “[the] Agency has returned 400 tonnes of potatoes and kiwis to Iran and Georgia due to the danger of the spread of pests that are subject to quarantine measures.”
The chairman of the organisation Goshgar Tahmazli said at the anniversary of the organisation’s first anniversary that it is increasing its oversight of imports from neighbouring countries.
The head of the agency noted that 255 tonnes of products were destroyed, and 838 tonnes of foodstuffs were neutralised and cleaned by various methods.
The Azeri report follows that of a similar return from neighbouring Dagestan, where which reported Iranian and Azeri produce being returned to senders.
39 IRAN Country Report August 2019 www.intellinews.com