(MENAFN) Iran has achieved notable success in exporting medicinal plants, with over 100,000 tons exported in the past Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 19. Hossein Zeynali, the director of the Agriculture Ministry’s medicinal plants national plan, highlighted that the Office of Medicinal Plants has registered more than 60 tariff codes over the last three years. These codes are used to monitor the export and import volumes of medicinal plants through the customs website.

Tarahom Behzad, the director-general of the pasture affairs office of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, underscored Iran's unique position in the global medicinal plant market. He noted that out of 14 natural climates identified globally, Iran boasts 11, making it an ideal breeding ground for a wide variety of medicinal plants. Approximately 8,600 plant species have been identified in Iran, of which 2,300 are medicinal, used in medicine, health, and food supplements.

Behzad emphasized that Iran's diverse climate and the vast area of about six million hectares of medicinal plant habitats present a significant opportunity for the country. This potential can be harnessed for proper exploitation, serious processing, job creation, specialized exports, and foreign currency earnings. However, he also pointed out challenges such as the lack of an independent line of credit for the protection and modification of medicinal plants, insufficient production enhancement, and a shortage of expert personnel. These issues have hindered the full utilization of Iran's valuable medicinal plant capacities.

Despite these challenges, the sector remains vibrant. Published statistics reveal that 400,000 people are involved in the production of medicinal plants in Iran, with an additional 32,000 employed in packaging these plants. Moreover, Iran holds a substantial market share of around 40 percent for medicinal plants in neighboring countries. Hamidreza Banafsheh, an official with the Ministry of Health, stated in late October 2023 that a large volume of pharmaceuticals, supplements, food products, and beverages are exported to countries like Iraq, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Afghanistan. This underscores Iran's significant role in the regional market for medicinal plants and related products.

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