Iran’s customs seizes record $105 mln haul of truffle bound for Slovenia

Iran’s customs office (IRICA) authorities have seized more than 16 metric tons of truffles being sent to Slovenia, a haul that is believed to be worth up to $105 million.

IRICA spokesman Rouhollah Latifi said on Saturday that the haul had been sized earlier in the day in the customs office in Serow on the northwestern border with Turkey.

Iran has banned harvesting and exports of truffle in a bid to protect its plant genetic reserves, said Latifi, adding that the truffle haul was discovered hidden in a frozen fruit container.

He said the shipment could be worth around 90 million euros based on prices of truffle in European countries.

“The uncontrolled harvesting of this precious product from the country’s forests has had a detrimental impact which is beyond calculation,” said Latfii,

Iran’s July exports top $3.649bn, up 53% against last year

Iran’s customs office says non-crude exports surged by 39% year on year in July to $3.649 billion.

The official added that IRICA had installed special equipment in several customs offices in Iranian borders to prevent shipments of truffle and other rare plant species into other countries.

However, truffles were found in Serow on Saturday with the help of sniffer dogs, he said.

The seizure came a month after authorities discovered a 4-ton haul of truffle in Poldasht customs office on the border with Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan in northwest Iran.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk