On exports volume of livestock and poultry products in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended 21 March), Hassan Rokni said total exports of poultry and eggs stood at about 100 thousand tons over the past 11 months; compared to the same period previous year, exports of chicken have risen while the figure for eggs has declined by more than 30 per cent.

According to Mehr News Agency, Mr Rokni said 750 thousand tons of dairy products were deployed to global markets in the meantime indicating an uplift of 150 thousand tons as compared to the corresponding period a year ago.

Deputy Iranian agriculture minister, while highlighting that Russia has turned into a good market for Iranian products, added, "In the last four months of the previous year, exports to Russia soared as 3,700 tons of powdered milk were sold to Russians who have also called for Iranian cheese among other dairy products."

Mr Rokni further pointed to certain transit difficulties as regards exports of these products to Russia stressing that existing challenges had to be resolved in coordination with the Ministry of Roads and Urban Planning.

The official reiterated that 1.2 billion dollars of livestock and poultry products were exported covering 25 per cent of the country’s agricultural products in worth; the sector enjoyed a favorable trade balance of 554 million dollars.