Iran’s tea harvest is shaping up as a bright spot in an otherwise tough agricultural year. According to Habib Jahansaz, head of the country’s Tea Organization, dry tea output has reached 26,500 tons since the season began—a 23 percent rise on the same period last year. The fourth plucking in Gilan and Mazandaran is winding down, and officials expect output to climb further as green-leaf harvesting and processing continue.
So far, growers have sold about 118,000 tons of green tea leaves, valued at over 4,177 billion tomans. Roughly 45 percent is first-grade leaf and 55 percent second-grade. The state carries about 70 percent of the guaranteed-purchase burden, while processing factories account for nearly 90 percent of demand—a division that officials say has kept tea growing economically viable.
Jahansaz credits tighter import management and better leaf quality and processing for making Iranian tea more competitive. Domestic brands are active in the market, and Iranian tea reaches 37 countries. Exports this year may differ as more output is directed to the domestic market. Iran needs 50,000 tons of imported dry tea annually, while domestic capacity stands at around 30,000 tons. Final production figures will be announced after the season ends.
