Iran exports pistachios to 76 countries

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Tehran: 19:14 , 2006/05/16

http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=327029

Iran exports pistachios to 76 countries

TEHRAN, May 16 (MNA) -– Iran now exports pistachios to 76 countries,

said an official with the country's Agricultural Jihad Ministry.

Speaking at a conference on new methods of pistachio production and

processing, Gheibi stated that the European Union, which is the main

buyer of Iranian pistachios, has reported about Iranian farmers'

recent measures in hygienic production of pistachios.

" However, they are not completely satisfied with the quality of our

pistachios. "

The official noted that the only way to improve the quality of

pistachios is to implement the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical

Control Points) program across the country. Iran is the first state

through Middle East to start the HACCP program, according to Gheibi.

On the current aflatoxin level of the Iranian pistachios, Gheibi

claimed that the level has shrunk to five parts per billion (PPB).

That's while the EU applies some of the strictest regulations in the

world on acceptable aflatoxin levels -- four parts per billion as

opposed to 10-15 PPB in most other importers. Aflatoxin is a toxic

factor produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, molds

contaminating seedlings of peanut plants (Arachis hypogaea).

Domestic fowl and other animals fed with infected peanut meal may

die of aflatoxicosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or

cholangiocarcinoma. It has also been implicated as a cause of human

hepatic carcinoma.

The ministry official then projected this year's pistachio exports

to reach 150,000 tons, putting the value of exports during the month

of Farvardin at 32 million dollars.

ER/MA

END

MNA