Negative Trade Balance of Agricultural Products and the Challenge of Smuggling American Almonds into Iran

Reza Nourani, the head of the National Union of Agricultural Products of Iran, stated in an interview with ILNA news agency that the trade balance of agricultural products in the country remains negative this year. Referring to the statistics for the first 10 months of the year 1403 (2024), he noted that the volume of agricultural imports far exceeds exports. According to Nourani, approximately 8 million and 356 thousand tons of agricultural products worth 6 billion and 662 million dollars were exported from the country in the first 10 months of this year. In the same period last year, exports of these items were about 6 million and 834 thousand tons worth 4 billion and 946 million dollars; thus, the weight of exports increased by 22% and their value by 34%. In contrast, agricultural imports in the first 10 months of this year reached 20 million and 224 thousand tons worth 13 billion and 117 million dollars. These figures indicate a 5% decrease in weight and a 12% decrease in value of imports compared to last year. Comparing these statistics, the trade balance of Iran's agricultural products remains negative. Nourani emphasized that this situation indicates the dominance of imports over exports in this sector. One of the serious challenges in the agricultural trade sector is the widespread smuggling of almonds and walnuts into Iran. According to a report by Fararu website, about 90% of walnuts and almond kernels are smuggled into the country through southern ports, especially the ports of Genaveh, Bandar Abbas, and Bushehr. This issue not only harms domestic producers but also threatens consumer health due to the lack of health oversight. Masoud Soleimani, the secretary of the Association of Supply and Packaging of Nuts, Dried Fruits, and Spices in Iran, stated that "currently 40 thousand tons of walnuts and 50 thousand tons of almonds are smuggled into the country. This not only brings immense profits to the smuggling mafia but also seriously harms domestic suppliers and producers." Nourani pointed out that the prohibition of importing certain products like almond kernels and walnuts has led to an increase in the smuggling of these products. He emphasized that revising trade and import policies could help prevent smuggling and improve the country's trade balance. Experts believe that the negative trade balance of agricultural products and the smuggling problem indicate the need for serious reforms in the country's trade and regulatory policies. Supporting domestic production, facilitating legal imports, and effectively combating smuggling are among the measures that could help improve the current situation. However, many independent experts believe that the inefficiency of the Islamic Republic's governance system is the root of all the crises that have engulfed Iranian society.