February 16, 2007

Iran fish consumption less than world average

Iran's per capita fish consumption is less than half as much as the world's average, Iran's Fisheries Organisation (IFO) director S Nezami said, MNA reported.

While the world's annual average seafood consumption stands at around 16 kg, Iran's per capita diet of the products is estimated at around 7 kg per year, noted the official who is also the deputy minister of Agricultural Jihad.

Provisions have been made to increase the per capita consumption to 7 kg by the yearend, he announced adding, and to 10 kg by the end of Iran's Fourth Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (2005-2010).

Export of Caviar has doubled in the past year as compared with the year before, the Persian service of ISNA news agency quoted him as saying.

He added that the figure is expected to increase by 600 tonnes by the end of the year.