March 6, 2006

Iran plans to expand shrimp industry

Iran, a country known more for its oil refineries than its fisheries, is making plans to develop its shrimp farming industry in its four southern  provinces.

In fact, the economic prospects of the shrimp industry looks even more lucrative than the country's famed oil industry. Due to their superior quality, Iran's shrimps are easily accessible to the US markets with little or no tariffs, said Arsalan Qasemi, a fisheries official in Iran.

Iran's shrimp production for 2005 is estimated at 2,400 tonnes and the government plans to expand next year's harvest from the four provinces to 10,000 tonnes.

Development of the industry would create half a million job opportunities in the region, he added.

Many of Iran's industries would be adversely affected by the WTO agreements scheduled to take effect in the next few years. However, for the agriculture sector, in particular the fisheries, it represents a whole new world of opportunities, noted the official.

Iran has about 2,700 hectares of coastline. Ironically, the seashores located at the parts of the nation that are considered the world's dry regions, are ideal for shrimp farming, he said.