Abstract
In Iran’s vegetable production, according to the latest data for 2022, eggplant has the highest production volume, recording 596 thousand tons. This reflects the fact that Iran’s climate and soil are suitable for eggplant cultivation, making it a major cultivated crop. Eggplant also has a wide range of land uses and is cultivated in a variety of regions, boasting particularly high productivity even in arid regions. On the other hand, tomato production also occupies an important position. Tomatoes are widely consumed as food, and are also in high demand as processed products (tomato paste and juice), and are characterized by large production volumes for each use. In particular, demand for tomatoes for heat processing is increasing year by year in Iran, and this trend is expected to continue. Overall, vegetable production in Iran is progressing with the selection of crops according to the characteristics of each region and the optimization of land use, with high-demand crops such as eggplant and tomato dominating the field. As climate change and water resource constraints also have their impacts, the production of these crops will continue to be an important pillar of agricultural policy.
Production (by vegetables)
In Iran’s vegetable production, based on data from 1961 to 2022, cucumber recorded the highest production in 2013, at 3.03 million tonnes (Mt). This reflects the fact that, along with advances in cultivation techniques to meet changing climatic conditions and demand in Iran, cucumbers have become an important crop for the domestic market and export. However, production volume has now fallen to just 13.6% of its peak level. This decline is thought to be due to changes in land use and conversion to other crops. In particular, Iran’s agricultural policies are evolving and it is diversifying rather than relying on specific crops. For example, there has been a shift towards high demand crops such as eggplant and tomato, and while production of these crops has increased, the production of crops such as cucumber has decreased relatively. Climate change and water resource constraints may also have had an impact, restricting production, especially of water-intensive crops. Overall, vegetable production in Iran varies according to market demand and climatic conditions, with production volumes varying by crop. The decline in cucumber production is one example, and efficient water use and the introduction of sustainable agricultural techniques will likely be key issues for future agricultural policies.
The maximum is 6.36Mt[2014] of Production volume, and the current value is about 53.4%
Yield(by vegetable)
Lettuce yield in Iran’s vegetable production reached a record high of 60.1 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) in 1992, according to data from 1961 to 2022. However, current lettuce yields have fallen to 48.5% compared to their peak. This downward trend is likely due to a combination of several factors. First, lettuce cultivation requires a lot of water, so water usage efficiency is a challenge given Iran’s limited water resources. In particular, in recent years, due to drying and climate change, water use in agriculture as a whole has been restricted, and the area under lettuce cultivation may have shrunk. Although lettuce has a relatively short harvest period, it is susceptible to the effects of heat waves and other extreme weather conditions, especially as global warming progresses, and there is an increased risk of reduced productivity. In addition, changes in Iran’s domestic food culture and market are also likely to be having an influence. Although there is a certain demand for lettuce, as interest in other vegetables and crops increases, farmers have switched to crops that are expected to be more profitable, which has resulted in a decrease in the production of lettuce. Given these factors, the decline in lettuce production in Iran reflects challenges in water resource management, climate change adaptation, and crop diversification, and future agricultural strategies must take these into account.
The maximum is 60.1t/ha[1992] of Lettuce, and the current value is about 48.5%
Land use (by vegetables)
Based on data from 2022, lentils are cultivated on the largest area of land use in vegetable production in Iran, occupying 132 thousand hectares (kha). This area reflects the importance of lentils, one of the main crops in Iranian agriculture. Lentils can be grown in dry areas and can be produced stably even in areas with harsh climatic conditions, so they are widely cultivated in Iran’s agriculture. On the other hand, the average land use area for crops in agricultural land across Iran is 27,700 hectares, which indicates that a relatively small amount of land is used for crops other than lentils. The total land use area is 277 thousand hectares, which includes a variety of crops. A wide variety of agricultural crops are grown in Iran, including crops that require large amounts of water and crops that are adapted to dry land, and each crop requires land use that is appropriate for it. In recent years, Iran’s agricultural policy has placed emphasis on efficient use of water resources, and efforts are being made to optimize land use. While lentil cultivation is expanding, climate change and water resource constraints will have an impact, and more water-efficient crops and land use adjustments will become important issues in the future.
The maximum is 3.4Mt of Production volume, the average is 3.4Mt, and the total is 3.4Mt
Tomato usage
The amount of tomatoes produced in Iran by use reached a peak of 6.36 million tons (Mt) in 1961, and tomatoes have remained an important agricultural product ever since. In particular, tomatoes are not only widely consumed as food, but are also in high demand as processed products, making them characterized by their large production volumes for different uses. Processed uses include tomato paste, juice and sauces, which are not only consumed domestically but also supplied in large quantities for export. In recent years, there has been a demand for quality improvement in tomato production in Iran, and production of tomatoes for processing in particular has been increasing. As tomato varieties have been improved, resulting in higher yields and greater disease resistance, the supply of tomatoes for processing has stabilized, contributing to the development of the processing industry. Demand for tomatoes is deeply rooted in Iran’s food culture, and they are highly valued as an essential ingredient in salads and dishes. In addition, climatic conditions and water resource limitations affect tomato production, and improved irrigation technology is required, especially for tomato cultivation in arid regions. Efficient use of water and reduction of production costs are issues, and the introduction of sustainable agricultural techniques will be important for future tomato production. Overall, tomatoes play an important role in Iranian agriculture, and stability in quality and production volume is required to meet both domestic and international demand.
The maximum is 6.36Mt[2014] of Production volume, and the current value is about 53.4%
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