By Ramin Hosseini ~
Diversified exports, ranging from steel and saffron, are opening up Iran’s economic space.
Iran, one recalls, is all about oil wells. But the vision is greater than that: Iran is transforming its economy by accelerating non-oil exports—safran and pistachios, maybe, but steel and engineering services too. New energy and increased world demand are powering those industries to spin a new prosperity.
A Bloom for Saffron
Iran was the globe’s largest producer of saffron for years and even this year dominated the globe with saffron exports to $184.7 million and exports to over 50 countries—65% of saffron sales for UAE, Spain, and China. Behind the scene, Khorasan Razavi province also witnessed 34% of non-olive exports led by farm products such as saffron, pistachios, and fruits prepared for cold chains.
Booms Despite energy
Iranian officials have witnessed non-oil exports pouring in over the last two years. Iran shipped 152 million tons of products worth $57.8 billion in the last year, rising 10% year-on-year by volume and 16% by value. Non-oil exports have also amounted to $8.24 billion in just two months alone (March–May 2025), with lead products propane, butane, petrochemicals, and methanol—and lead markets China, Iraq, UAE, and Turkey.
Industrial Pillar: Steel & Petrochemicals
The industrial pillar of Iran is finally on the same level as the rest of the world. Iron and steel—increasing their might with giants such as Gol Gohar—are among the leading exports together with petrochemical commodities. Iran’s National Petrochemical Company represents around 44% of total non-oil exports, which signifies the manner chemical technology is diversifying the nation. Motor and engineering activity are also strong, with Iran ranked 16th in the world in terms of automobile manufacture, with cars exported to countries like Russia, Venezuela, and Belarus.
Fruit, Pistachios, and Farm Wealth
Iranian plains fertile and rich yield more than a single spice. Pistachios, fruits, and handwoven carpets earn billions. Fruit exports to over 80 nations—pomegranates, dates, kiwifruit, and citrus dominating the lead—are mirroring Tehran’s agriculture potential. Pistachios alone earn an estimated $800 million in export revenues en.wikipedia.org. Provincially, Khorasan Razavi recorded $2.25 billion in non-oil exports at 3.5 million tons, indicative of growing integration of agriculture into global value chains.
Engineering Beyond Borders
Iranian engineers are not remaining idle back home, either. Alone between 2001 and 2011, the country exported over $20 billion in technical and engineering services—roads, dams, pipelines, and power plants in Asia, the Middle East, and even Latin America. This is building Iran’s economy and creating long-term trade relationships.
Why It Matters
This boom in exports has no lack of line charts—it’s also a tale of entrepreneurship, resilience, and national stewardship. For Iran, diversifying its non-oil export markets puts people to work, decreases reliance on sanction-risky oil, and brings an end to the economically unsustainable boom-and-bust cycle. And internationally, European and Asian consumers get best-of-the-best products—such as world-class saffron, metals, and engineering services—so it’s a win–win.
Building the Momentum
Weaken value chains – Restructure branding, packaging, and certification—specifically for the premium category like pistachios and saffron—to achieve additional profit share and prevent commoditization.
Diversify in markets – Establish additional trade connections in Asia, Africa, and Europe. New trends offer Iran’s commodities with new opportunities to find markets in India, Central Asia, etc.
Support SMEs – Regulation and financing small farmers, engineering companies, and exporters can energize exports and keep business running.
Investing in packaging and technology – Shifting cold storage, processing, and export logistics keeps high-value products on global value chains.
Iran’s export story is no longer an oil one. From fields of saffron and steel factories to orange orchards and foreign freeways built by Iranians, Iran is finding new sources of strength. These non-oil production heroes are exporting along with them stability, hope, and a new face to the world. As the globe keeps opening up, Iran’s exports have a miraculous story of resurrection—of culture, ability, and self-assurance.
