Iran reports 66% growth in trade with Africa in first half of year

Iran's Minister of Agriculture Gholamreza Nouri-Ghezeljeh said on Saturday that trade turnover between Iran and African countries grew by 66 percent in the first half of the year, reaching $940 million. Speaking at the First Iran-Africa Agricultural Cooperation meeting in Tehran, he described the current volume of trade with African markets as insignificant and called for it to be developed substantially.

The minister emphasized that Iran and African countries have high potential to increase trade exchanges and that this issue must be taken into serious consideration. He called for a paradigm shift in economic relations, urging the transformation of political commitments into operational projects and joint investments.

Nouri-Ghezeljeh stressed that Iran sees Africa not merely as a sales market but as a strategic partner in production and development. He pointed to the complementary capabilities of both sides, highlighting Iran's strengths in irrigation management, greenhouse construction, agricultural machinery, seed production, livestock and poultry farming, vaccines, and agro-processing industries. He also noted Africa's immense potential in tropical products, fisheries, and its growing markets.

The meeting, held in Tehran, brought together officials to discuss agricultural cooperation. The minister's remarks underscore Iran's push to expand economic ties with African nations beyond trade, focusing on joint production and investment.

According to Mehr News, the First Iran-Africa Agricultural Cooperation meeting served as a platform for Iran to outline its vision for deeper engagement with Africa, with the agriculture minister calling for concrete steps to realize the potential of both sides.