Iran’s foreign trade registered mixed results in the first nine months of the year, with export volumes rising but values slipping. Customs data show Iran exported 118.901 million tonnes of goods worth $41.243 billion in the period, while total foreign trade reached 148.226 million tonnes valued at $85.394 billion.
By value, total trade fell by 10.92 percent year on year, but weight increased by 1.3 percent. Exports rose by 1 percent in volume compared with the same period last year, while export value contracted by 5.7 percent. Imports amounted to 29.325 million tonnes worth $44.151 billion, up 2.7 percent by weight and down 15.2 percent by value.
The figures reflect a complex trade environment. Commodity volumes remain resilient, but lower global prices and currency factors have reduced the dollar value of shipments. Analysts say shifting commodity prices and logistics costs have had uneven effects across different export sectors.
Iran exports to Eurasia show 10% growth
The implementation of a preferential trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union has already begun to show results. Iranian trade with the EAEU has climbed from roughly $2.5 billion in earlier years to nearly $5 billion today, according to customs data. Mirhadi Seyyedi, adviser on international affairs to the head of the Trade Promotion Organisation, said exports to EAEU members rose 10 percent in the first eight months to $1.46 billion.
The agreement, now in its operational phase, covers Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Officials hope the deal will expand market access, reduce tariffs and boost the competitiveness of Iranian goods. Projections from some quarters estimate that trade with the bloc could reach as much as $20 billion if obstacles are addressed and trade facilitation measures are strengthened.
Authorities and exporters point to two immediate priorities. First is the establishment of secure, legal payment channels to allow businesses to settle transactions without undue risk. Second is improved compliance with international standards for production, packaging and transport. Buyers in EAEU markets increasingly demand clear documentation on origin, storage conditions and quality controls.
To realise the higher trade targets, industry groups and officials say further measures are required. These include enhanced banking arrangements, streamlined customs procedures and coordinated standardisation efforts to meet partner-country requirements. Investment in logistics, cold chain capacity and certification systems will also help Iranian goods compete more effectively in Eurasian markets.
While the nine-month data show a fall in trade value, the rise in volumes and the early gains with EAEU partners provide a platform for recovery. Policymakers will need to balance short-term pressure on export revenues with measures to secure longer-term market access and financial arrangements that support cross-border trade.
Officials stress that the coming months will be pivotal as the practical effects of the preferential agreement continue to unfold and as private and public actors work to remove remaining barriers to trade.
Key Takeaways:
- Iran exports to Eurasia grew 10% to $1.46bn in the first eight months, reflecting the new preferential trade agreement.
- In the nine-month period Iran exported 118.9 million tonnes of goods worth $41.243bn; export weight rose while value fell slightly.
- Total foreign trade reached $85.394bn, with imports of 29.325 million tonnes valued at $44.151bn.
- Officials cite payment channels, standards and logistics as key challenges to raising EAEU trade toward a $20bn target.
