Iran is set to inaugurate 199 agro-processing and food industry projects during Government Week, marking a significant push to modernize the agricultural sector and reduce reliance on raw material exports.
Karim Zolfaghari, head of the Center for Development of Mechanization and Agricultural Industries, announced that the projects will process approximately 1.82 million tons of agricultural raw materials and generate employment for 12,427 people. The initiative aims to increase productivity, cut waste, and boost added value across the agricultural value chain.
Zolfaghari noted that 761 additional semi-finished agricultural projects with over 50 percent physical progress are currently underway nationwide. If completed, these would add processing capacity for around 10 million tons of raw materials, potentially transforming Iran's agricultural production into a competitive export advantage.
To date, over 16,700 operating licenses have been issued for agricultural processing units, which collectively can absorb more than 114 million tons of raw materials and employ approximately 270,000 people.
Provincial leaders in project development include West Azarbaijan, Mazandaran, and Markazi in terms of investment value, while Khuzestan, West Azarbaijan, and Kerman lead in project numbers. West Azarbaijan, Khuzestan, and Mazandaran rank highest in job creation.
The official emphasized that processing industries are essential for shifting from raw material sales to high-value packaged products for domestic and export markets. "Global markets demand quality, standardization, proper packaging, and traceability," he said, calling for upgrades in technology, smart production, and investment in the sector to meet international standards.
