Tehran, Iran – Iran’s blossoming ornamental plants and flowers industry, though thriving in domestic production, faces challenges in the international export market. Despite being the 17th largest global producer of these horticultural wonders, the country ranks a mere 107th in terms of exports, according to Gholam-Reza Taqavi, the director-general of the Office of Greenhouses, Ornamental Plants, and Edible Mushrooms within the Ministry of Agriculture.
Elham Fatahifar, acting director of the Greenhouses and Ornamental Plants Affairs Office, highlighted that the bulk of Iran’s exported ornamental plants and flowers consist of potted plants, ornamental trees, shrubs, with only a small fraction being cut flowers.
One prominent obstacle is the inconsistency in production trends throughout the year, making it difficult to meet export market demands. Hossein Bayat, head of Iran’s Ornamental Plants Research Center, called for the establishment of large production centers to stabilize year-round production and support smaller units.
Transportation systems and destination countries’ export laws have also hindered the industry. Gholam-Hossein Soltan-Mohammadi, chairman of the Flower Retailers’ Association of Tehran, cited high production costs and a lack of modern greenhouses as impediments to global exports.
In light of the sector’s potential and the demand from Persian Gulf littoral states and Central Asian countries, Iran is encouraged to adopt effective policies to bolster its flower and ornamental plant exports. Officials within the Agriculture Ministry believe that Iran has the capability to export more than $1 billion worth of these products annually.
Efforts to address the issues and limitations faced by the industry, notably in the realms of energy and industry, are deemed essential to unlock the export potential of Iran’s flourishing flower and ornamental plant sector.
The Iranian government’s commitment to supporting large production centers, streamlining transportation and export regulations, and improving production practices could pave the way for the country to emerge as a significant player in the international ornamental plants and flowers market.
