Page 60 - IRANRptJun22

Iran to build 45 dams by 2025 as worries mount water shortages could hit tens of millions
Imports of animal feed raw materials to Iran topped $6bn in 11 months
Administration (IRICA) blamed water shortages that undermined cultivation and an increase in competition from other countries selling pistachios on to the international market, Mehr News Agency reported on April 26.
The US, with the introduction of modern agricultural technologies, is increasingly outdoing Iran in pistachio production. Nevertheless, Iranian pistachios remain cheaper than US consignments due to the low cost of labour and, overall, better growing conditions, in Iran.
In terms of export weight, Iran exported 135,322 tonnes of the nuts in the 2021/2022 Persian year to countries including China, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Turkey, IRICA was cited as saying. Of that total, 115,557 tonnes were unpeeled fresh pistachios, with a value of $696mn, it added. China was the biggest buyer of Iranian pistachios, buying $199mn worth. Next were India, Russia, Iraq and Kyrgyzstan, which imported $85mn, $53mn, $50mn and $45mn worth, respectively.
Officials in Iran, concerned that worsening droughts could eventually cause water shortages for tens of millions of people across the country, plan to build 45 dams by 2025, IRNA has reported.
The dams would reportedly expand the storage capacity of reservoirs in Iran by around 10bn cubic metres, taking the total capacity to more than 63bn cubic metres. The country of 84mn people has around 600 dams, including nearly 200 reservoirs.
The provinces of Hormuzgan on the Persian Gulf and Sistan and Baluchestan on the Sea of Oman are to host seven and five of the planned dams, respectively, the news service report said.
Iran’s Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian said last week that around 300 large towns and cities across Iran were facing water tension issues.
The minister added that the government would introduce grants and loans to encourage the establishment of efficient irrigation systems in the agricultural sector, responsible for more than 80% of water consumption in the country. Officials have previously come under fire for permitting water 'thirsty' crops, such as rice, to be cultivated in parts of the country not blessed with an abundance of water.
A total of 15.5mn tonnes of animal feed raw materials worth $6.47bn were imported to Iran during the first 11 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2021-February 19), indicating an increase of 11% and 51% in weight and value, industry data reported on March 15.
Data released by the Union of Livestock and Poultry Feed Importers showed more than 856mn tonnes of field corn worth $2.95bn were imported, indicating a decrease in volume of 7% and an increase in value of 28% year on year.
In addition, 2.11mn tonnes of soybeans worth $1.38bn and 2.27mn tonnes of soybean meal worth $1.24bn were imported, indicating an increase in value and weight of 59% and 17% respectively, compared to the corresponding period last year.
Barley imports amounted to 3mn tonnes worth $895.96mn, which means an increase in weight and value of 76% and 112% respectively y/y.
Iranian animal feed manufacturers can produce between 22 and 25mn tonnes per year (tpy) but are operating at about 30% of their full capacity, the food producers’ association said. Domestic annual demand is between 12 and 15mn tpy.
The Iranian government is seeking to abolish the cheap import regime at 42,000 rials per dollar for all permitted goods except wheat and medicines. The move is expected to put further pressure on the livestock industry in the country.
60 IRAN Country Report June 2022 www.intellinews.com