Iran pistachio crop forecast

Forecasted at 195000 Mt, the 2019/20 Iran Pistachio crop is anticipated to return to normal levels this season, after the exceptionally weather-related low crop of 2018/19. Through the new plantings, ongoing rejuvenation of orchards and improvement in water use efficiency, the Iranian crop is expected to average around 150000 in off years and 250000 MT in on-years, with average yields over 1.5 MT/ha, in the next 10 years.

As reported by the Iran Pistachio Association, from September 2018 through April 2019, from a total supply of 87000 MT (in-shell basis), the ending inventory amounted to 44200 MT. 63% of the total marketable inventory of approximately 70000 MT.

As a result of the Iranian pistachio industry effort towards expanding its market to the Indian subcontinent, this was the top destination for Iranian exports, accounting for around 8000 MT. In turn, exports to the Middle East, another growing market, amounted to over 5900 MT.

Along with the CIS countries imports, which added up to over 5300 MT, these three origins accounted for 66% of the total exports.

In recent years, the industry has focused on the domestic distribution system; advertising pistachio as a healthy snack; and improving roasting and packaging machinery. Consequently, apart from the traditional ingredient market, domestic pistachio in-shell consumption was growing steadily.

However, due to the currency devaluation, pistachio in-shell domestic demand fell, while it represented an advantage to boost sales abroad.