East Azerbaijan is recognized as one of the most important origins of apples in Iran. This province sends products to the market from its extensive orchards, which are exported to various countries including the Caucasus and Arab countries. Maragheh County, especially with its red and sweet apples, plays a significant role in this process.
Apple Production Capacity in Maragheh
Maragheh, as one of the hubs of horticultural product production in East Azerbaijan, has become one of the important centers for apple production in the country due to its location on the slopes of Sahand and favorable climatic conditions. Maragheh apples, in addition to meeting domestic market needs, have entered international markets by exporting to countries such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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According to statistics, in the first three months of the year 1404, approximately 1,600 tons of apples were exported from Maragheh customs. The total apple exports from this county have reached about 9,500 tons this year, indicating Maragheh's significant capacity in producing and exporting this product.
Challenges of Production and Development of Processing Industries
Apple production in Maragheh has increased by about 30% this year, which can strengthen the export capacity of this county. As the harvest season approaches, the orchards of Maragheh are filled with red and ripe apples, the result of the efforts of the farmers in this region.
Shahram Shafiei, the head of the Agricultural Jihad Organization of East Azerbaijan, pointed out the province's high capacity for apple production, stating that the area of apple orchards in East Azerbaijan is about 53,000 hectares, and it is predicted that apple production this year will reach about 650,000 to 700,000 tons.
Hadi Khorsandi, the head of the Agricultural Jihad in Maragheh, mentioned the high capacity of this county in apple production and added that the area of orchards in Maragheh County is about 25,000 hectares, of which 18,000 hectares are dedicated to apple orchards. However, challenges such as rising input prices and production costs have put pressure on farmers.
The Deputy for Plant Production Improvement of the Agricultural Jihad Organization of East Azerbaijan also emphasized the necessity of developing processing industries, stating: "The development of processing units, production of concentrate and fruit chips can help increase the added value of apples. Meanwhile, part of the premium apples produced in this county is exportable, and markets like Iraq and the Gulf countries are among the export targets for this product."
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