Production of 340,000 Tons of Grapes in East Azerbaijan; Bonab Emerges as Country's Raisin Export Hub

Bonab – The head of East Azerbaijan's Agricultural Jihad Organization announced that the province produced 340,000 tons of grapes and projected raisin output of over 100,000 tons in Bonab.

Benab- The head of East Azerbaijan Agricultural Jihad Organization announced the production of 340 thousand tons of grapes in the province and the forecast of production of more than 100 thousand tons of raisins in Benab.

According to Mehr reporter, on Monday, on the sidelines of the meeting to examine the challenges of the raisin market and visit the processing units of this product in Benab city, Shahram Shafiei said: Considering the importance of grapes in the agricultural economy of East Azerbaijan and the position of Banab in the export of raisins, the investigation of the production and processing situation, the identification of obstacles to the activities of producers and exporters, and the pursuit of solutions to solve the problems of this sector are on the agenda.

Referring to the increase in grape production in East Azerbaijan, he said: Estimates show that about 340,000 tons of grapes have been produced in the province this year. A capacity that increases the necessity of developing processing industries, completing the value chain and facilitating the export of this product.

The head of East Azerbaijan Agricultural Jihad Organization emphasized the position of Benab in the country's raisin industry and added: This city has the first place in grape processing in the province and is considered one of the important commercial and export centers of raisins in the country.

Referring to the activities of top raisin exporters in Benab and the city's extensive processing infrastructure, Shafi'i noted: these capacities play an important role in the presence of Bonab in domestic and foreign markets and strengthening its position in the raisin production and trade chain.

He continued: In addition to the grapes produced in the region, a significant part of the product of other provinces, especially Qazvin, is transferred to Benab for processing, which shows the high capacity of the processing units of this city in the supply and export chain of raisins.

The head of East Azerbaijan Agricultural Jihad Organization predicted that more than 100,000 tons of raisins will be produced in Benab this year and said that necessary planning is being done to manage market conditions and support the activities of producers and exporters.

Referring to field visits to processing units and holding meetings with industry activists, Shafiei stated: In these visits, the issues and problems of producers, factory owners and exporters were investigated and the obstacles in their path of activity were identified so that the necessary follow-ups to solve the problems and support the continuation of production and export were identified.

He also reported on the follow-up of problems with the export of raisins and added: In this regard, the necessary coordination has been done with the various customs of the country and the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad to facilitate the export process.

The head of East Azarbaijan Agricultural Jihad Organization stated that the purpose of these measures is to reduce the obstacles faced by exporters, accelerate the export process and make maximum use of the raisin production and processing capacities in the province.