Tehran Chamber of Commerce, industries and Mines:

Pakistan, Emirates, and India are the major rice importers to Iran.

60,000 Tons of rice imported in the first month of this year (1389).

According to News Site of " Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines”, in the first month of the current year (Farvardin 1389,  21March- 19 April 2010), 60,000 tons of rice with the value of 47 million dollars have been imported to Iran from Pakistan, Emirates, and India.

  Pakistan: 31,000 tons         value: 24.3 million Dollars

 Emirates: 19,000 tons        value: 16.5 million Dollars

  India:  7,000 tons                  value: 6.3 million Dollars

The average price per kilo for the Pakistani rice is 7,800- 8,000 Rials, Emirates 8,500 Rials and Indian 9,000 Rials. According to the experts the major amount of rice from Emirates is originally from India, Pakistan and Uruguay which is re-exported to Iran.

Based on the same report, in 1388( last year), 1 million, 287 thousand tons of rice with value of 1 milliard, 71 million dollars have been imported to the country and although the import of this product compared to the previous year has had a 7% decrease in weight, the value has had an increase of 34%.

The 3 most important importers in 1388 are: United Arab Emirates with 46%, Pakistan with 31%, and India 21%.

According to this report the import of contaminated rice to Iran was widely criticized by the Press and although the " Institute of Standards” had announced that the rice is contaminated, after the Press objections the Health Committee of the Ministry of Health announced that the rice is healthy. However, The Institute of Standards still believes that the rice is contaminated and says the test results of 24 types of this rice will be announced if the authorities believe appropriate.

 There were also arguments in Majlis on the 20% Tariff of rice which increased to 45% by the Ministry of Commerce.