Iran’s non-crude exports rose by over 50% in value terms in the month to July 22 compared to the same month in 2020, according to Iran’s customs office IRICA.
IRICA figures published Monday showed that exports in the fourth month this fiscal year had amounted to $3.649 billion, up 53% against similar period last year.
IRICA spokesman Rouhollah Latifi said that July sales were responsible for roughly a fourth of the total value of exports reported for the first fourth months of the current fiscal year at $14.3 billion.
China’s July purchases rose by 94% compared to July 2020 to $1.252 billion, said Latifi, adding that Iraq had taken delivery of $473 million worth of goods from Iran over the same period, a 2% decline against last year.
Exports to the United Arab Emirates and Turkey were up 39% and 110% over the month to July to $350 million and $350 million, respectively, he said, adding that sales to Afghanistan had also increased by 18% year on year to reach a total of $258 million.
IRICA figures showed Iran had a trade deficit of $714 million in July as imports topped $4.363 billion. Main exporters to Iran over the period were the UAE at $1.51 billion, followed by China at $1.09 billion and Turkey at $487 million. Switzerland and Germany came fourth and fifth in the list at $155 million and $149 million, respectively.
The four-month balance of trade showed a slight deficit of $200 million, according to the figures which showed the value of imports recorded between late March and late July had reached $14.5 billion.