Iran Agribusiness Sector

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the Iranian economy. Iran Agribusiness Sector represents 11% of the GDP and employs 23% of the population; about 20% of the land is arable. The main food-producing areas are the Caspian region and the valleys of the northwest. The diversity of the climate conditions allows a large variety of crops to be grown, but also brings several challenges, mainly regarding the irrigation. 

Iran’s agriculture is very inefficient due to obsolete technologies and harvesting methods.
The transition from a traditional to a modern agriculture requires a modernization of the equipment, infrastructure and irrigation systems.
Iran allocated $10 billion to the development of its agriculture sector. It will be financed by the country’s National Development Fund.

France and Iran signed six MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) for transfer of technological know-how in fisheries, production of organic foods, animal husbandry, farming, modern irrigation methods and harvesting techniques.

High Potential Sectors

Irrigation
Massive public investments in the modernization of irrigation and drainage in key areas countrywide.

Dairy
A strong, rising demand for packaged cheese is forecasted in the next few years in Iran.

Fisheries
With the removal of sanctions, fisheries exports could hit USD1 billion.

Sugar
Iran’s sugar consumption is set to grow by 27.6% to 3 million tons by 2019, mainly driven by a growing population and improved macroeconomic conditions.