Iran 4th Walnut Producer

After China, US, and Turkey, Iran is the fourth walnut producer with annual output of 300,000 tons.

According to the statistics released by Agricultural Jihad Ministry, over 85,000 farmers work across 182,000 hectares of walnut gardens in Iran, ISNA reported.

Near two million tons of walnut is harvested across the world, the report said.

Toyserkan in Hamedan province is the main hub of this ‘green gold’, it added.

According to Sadollah Eskandari, a senior official of East Azarbaijan Agricultural Jihad Department, there are obstacles in the way of growing this crop including high processing and packing costs and sanitary problems.

Based on the Fifth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2010-15), over 400,000 tons of walnut should be harvested annually.

Walnut is adapted to Iran’s climatic conditions such as mountainous, Caspian, warm and semi-warm weathers. However, the walnut produced in mountainous regions, has better quality and higher amount of fat.

Walnut has a high food value. It is a rich source of omega 3 which is essential to human health, as it helps prevent heart attacks and other ailments. Walnuts are also rich source of minerals like potassium, phosphorus and calcium.