A journey through the history of pasta
Pasta is one of the most popular and beloved dishes around the world. Its simplicity, delicious taste, and good nutritional value have given it a special place in the food basket of households. Iran, as one of the countries with a long history of pasta production and consumption, has significant potential to enter global markets and develop exports of this product. In this article, we intend to take a comprehensive look at pasta exports from Iran, and in addition to examining the status of the pasta industry in the country, we will discuss the export advantages, target markets, challenges, and ways to increase exports of this product.
Getting to Know the Global Pasta Market
To examine the export potential of pasta from Iran, we must first become familiar with the global market for this product.
Global Pasta Trade Volume
According to published statistics, the global pasta trade volume has been on an upward trend in recent years. Currently, about 15 million tons of pasta are traded annually worldwide, and this figure is expected to continue to increase in the coming years. These statistics show the high demand for this product in the global market, which provides a suitable opportunity for pasta exporting countries.
Major Pasta Importing and Exporting Countries
Italy, as the birthplace of pasta production, has always been one of the leading countries in exporting this product. Other prominent countries in pasta exports include:
- Germany
- Turkey
- United States of America
- Hungary
On the other hand, the major pasta importing countries include:
- United States of America
- Germany
- France
- England
- Japan
As can be seen, developed countries, despite having domestic production, still import a significant amount of their pasta needs. This indicates the high potential of the global market for the entry of new players and for countries like Iran to increase their export share.
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Status of the Pasta Industry in Iran
The pasta industry in Iran has a long history and dates back over 70 years. Currently, about 200 pasta production units are active in the country, with an annual production capacity of more than 1.5 million tons. This places Iran among the top 10 pasta-producing countries in the world.
Pasta Production Capacity in Iran
As mentioned, Iran’s pasta production capacity exceeds domestic demand. This indicates significant potential for developing exports of this product. Fortunately, the necessary infrastructure for pasta exports also exists in the country. The existence of an appropriate transportation network, equipped ports, and skilled labor are among the advantages that can help boost exports of this product.
Quality of Iranian Pasta
The quality of Iranian pasta is at a good level and is comparable to foreign samples in terms of taste, flavor, and nutritional value. The raw materials used in pasta production in Iran are of high quality, and world-class technologies are also used in the production lines of this product.
Advantages of Exporting Iranian Pasta
Iran has several advantages for exporting pasta that can help increase the share of this product in global markets. Some of these advantages include:
Appropriate Price
The price of Iranian pasta is significantly lower compared to foreign samples. This can be an important factor in attracting customers in global markets.
High Quality
As mentioned, the quality of Iranian pasta is at a good level and is comparable to foreign samples in terms of taste, flavor, and nutritional value.
Product Variety
Iranian pasta producers offer a variety of flavors, shapes, and packaging, which can help attract customers in different markets.
Pasta Export Steps
To export pasta from Iran, the following steps must be taken:
Obtaining the Necessary Permits
To export any product, first the necessary permits must be obtained from the relevant authorities. In the case of pasta exports, permits including:
- Establishment license and operation license
- Health certificate
- Standard certificate
- Export license
Must be obtained.
Marketing and Finding Customers
After obtaining the necessary permits, you must proceed to marketing and finding customers for your product. This can be done by participating in international exhibitions, sending product samples to potential customers, or using the services of trading companies.
Packaging and Transportation
Pasta packaging should be such that the product remains intact during transportation and prevents it from being damaged. Appropriate transportation methods should also be used to send the product to the destination country.
Customs Procedures
To export any product, customs procedures must also be carried out correctly. This includes paying customs duties, providing the necessary documents, and completing other legal formalities.
Target Markets for Exporting Iranian Pasta
The target markets for exporting Iranian pasta can be divided into the following categories:
Neighboring Countries
Neighboring countries of Iran such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are among the target markets for exporting Iranian pasta. These countries, due to their geographical proximity and political and economic relations with Iran, have significant potential for exporting this product.
Central Asian Countries
Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are also among the target markets for exporting Iranian pasta. These countries have a growing population and a growing demand for food, which can be a suitable opportunity for exporting pasta from Iran.
Other Potential Markets
In addition to the mentioned markets, other countries in which pasta consumption is on the rise can also be considered as target markets for exporting Iranian pasta.
Challenges Facing Iranian Pasta Exports
Iranian pasta exporters face several challenges that can hinder their increase in share in global markets. Some of these challenges include:
Severe Competition with Large Exporters
As mentioned, countries such as Italy, Germany, and Turkey are among the major pasta exporters in the world. These countries are at a high level in terms of product quality, branding, and marketing, and it is difficult for Iranian exporters to compete with them.
Complex Administrative Bureaucracy
Export procedures in Iran are accompanied by complex administrative bureaucracy. This can be time-consuming and increase export costs.
Lack of Government Support
While non-oil exports are among the priorities of the Iranian government, pasta exporters do not receive adequate government support. This can reduce the motivation of exporters and their reluctance to enter global markets.
Solutions to Increase Iranian Pasta Exports
To increase pasta exports from Iran, the following solutions should be considered:
Improving Quality and Product Variety
To compete with major exporters, the quality and variety of Iranian products must be improved. This can be done by using high-quality raw materials, updating production technologies, and offering new and diverse products to the market.
Targeted Marketing and Presence in International Exhibitions
To find new customers and increase the share in target markets, targeted marketing should be done. Participating in international exhibitions, using social networks, and advertising in specialized media are among the effective methods for marketing Iranian pasta.
Reducing Production Costs and End Price
By reducing production costs and the final price, the product can be made more attractive to foreign customers. This can be done by optimizing the production process, using modern equipment, and reducing waste.
Attracting Government Support
The government can help boost pasta exports from Iran by providing export incentives, reducing administrative bureaucracy, and supporting exporters’ presence in international exhibitions.
Conclusion
The pasta industry in Iran has significant export potential. Appropriate price, high quality, and product variety are among the export advantages of Iranian pasta. By addressing challenges such as competition with major exporters, complex administrative bureaucracy, and lack of government support, the share of pasta exports from Iran in global markets can be significantly increased.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it profitable to export pasta from Iran?
Considering the advantages such as appropriate price, high quality, and product variety, exporting pasta from Iran can be economically profitable. However, to be successful in this field, one must also consider challenges such as competition with major exporters and complex administrative bureaucracy.
- Which countries are the main destinations for exporting pasta from Iran?
Neighboring countries of Iran such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are among the target markets for exporting Iranian pasta. Central Asian countries and other countries where pasta consumption is on the rise can also be considered as target markets for this product.
- What actions should be taken to increase pasta exports from Iran?
To increase pasta exports from Iran, actions such as improving quality and product variety, targeted marketing, reducing production costs, and attracting government support should be taken.
- What permits are required to export pasta from Iran?
To export pasta from Iran, permits including establishment license and operation license, health certificate, standard certificate, and export license must be obtained.
- What are the customs procedures for exporting pasta?
Customs procedures for exporting pasta include paying customs duties, providing the necessary documents, and completing other legal formalities.
- Which organizations in Iran support pasta exporters?
Various organizations such as the Trade Development Organization of Iran, the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture, and the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture of Iran support pasta exporters.
- Is it necessary to obtain a special standard for exporting pasta?
Yes, to export pasta, a standard certificate must be obtained from the National Standards Organization of Iran.
- What is the minimum investment for setting up a pasta production plant?
The minimum investment for setting up a pasta production plant depends on various factors such as production capacity, type of equipment, and location of the plant. However, in general, it can be said that setting up a medium-capacity pasta production plant requires an investment of about 10 billion tomans.
- What raw materials are used for pasta production?
The main raw materials for pasta production include semolina flour, water, and salt. Other raw materials such as eggs, vegetables, and spices can also be used to produce pasta.
- What is the pasta production process?
The pasta production process includes the following steps:
- Dough preparation: Semolina flour, water, and salt are mixed together to form the pasta dough.
- Kneading the dough: The pasta dough is kneaded for a specific time to make it smooth and uniform.
- Shaping the dough: The pasta dough is passed through special molds to give it various shapes such as strands, tubes, and cups.
- Cooking the pasta: The pasta is cooked in boiling water until it is soft and ready to eat.
- Drying the pasta: The pasta is dried after cooking to increase its shelf life.