Challenges of Dried Fruit Export
Since this type of export is considered as part of new and emerging industries, it will always face challenges and limitations in production and export. In our country, only a few individuals are active in the production and export of dried fruits because in each season, only fruits specific to that season can be obtained and dried. Dried fruits prepared in that season must also be sold in the same season, and if you intend to dry fruits out of season, naturally, you will incur additional costs. These risks and challenges make fewer people enter this profession. In addition to being new, fluctuations in the currency market are also among the other challenges of this industry.
1- Currency Fluctuations
One of the obstacles and challenges of dried fruit exports that is currently troubling many Iranian exporters is the instability of the currency market. The fluctuations in this market have very negative effects on industries such as dried fruit exports. Since there is no security in fruit markets and the exchange rate is also subject to upward fluctuations, the fresh and dried fruit market is very turbulent. The prices of fruits such as canned pineapples, mangoes, and bananas, which are considered foreign fruits, are naturally higher and more than other fruits. Therefore, with the increase in the price of the dollar, the prices rise, but unfortunately, they will not decrease with its decline. This factor is one of the obstacles and challenges of reducing fruit in this industry.
2- Pest Infestation
Another issue and challenge that dried fruit exporters face is the risk of pest infestation. In order to export these products outside the country, it is necessary to use refrigerated containers. Since dried fruits do not contain additives or preservatives, they may spoil if exposed to heat. Therefore, they must be transported in specialized containers. Today, intermediaries are used to facilitate the direct export of these products. Given the current conditions, it is predicted that dried fruit exports will have a very good growth in the coming years.
3- Lack of Market Understanding and Proper Marketing
Another obstacle to Iranian dried fruit exports is the lack of recognition of quality agricultural products in global markets.
Understanding the market is the most important factor in the successful export of any product outside the country, and this issue will be more important for fruits and perishable goods due to their perishable nature. Therefore, understanding the market of the destination country is one of the most important tasks that must be done for the export process to proceed well and successfully.
To this end, market research and finding suitable markets for the export of dried fruits, followed by marketing activities in target markets, can be helpful.
What are the Problems of Fruit and Food Exports?
Exporting fruits and food globally faces its own specific obstacles and challenges; challenges such as competition among exporters, keeping food fresh and healthy during transportation, packaging, and… which are not only in Iran but also troubling exporters of this food product worldwide. It is better to learn the solutions to cope with these problems and obstacles before entering this large business.
Traders, especially those with experience in exporting food and fruits, consider keeping them fresh and healthy as the most important problems for fruit exporters. On the other hand, importers who intend to import fruits from Iran are looking for the best exporting companies to supply fresh and standard fruits for their market.
1- Transportation of Fruit for Export
Considering the speed of sending goods, no delay at the border, and proper and standard transportation methods, about 90% of goods are exported by sea. In this way, the oceans provide the main transportation arteries for global trade. Sometimes the long distances increase the importance of preserving food and agricultural products. Every food exporting company has experienced the corruption of its goods at least once. The bitter experience of food corruption has made companies spend more on keeping their products safe and use up-to-date equipment.
But are these expenses necessary for them? The truth is that fruits continue to respire and grow even after being harvested from the tree. Therefore, when a fruit is harvested in time from the tree, it may deteriorate and spoil by the time it reaches its destination, which is another country. For this reason, exporters use methods to keep the fruit dry and cool from the moment of harvest until it reaches the target market, and of course, these strategies will vary depending on the type of fruit. Although some of these methods are seen in all types of fruits, for example, one of the common costs in transporting all fruits is the use of refrigerated and equipped containers.
2- Packaging Fruit for Export
It can be said that the most important problem and obstacle that Iranian fruit exports face to lucrative countries like Europe and Russia is the lack of suitable and quality packaging of the product in Iran. In the distant past, exports of these products were mostly done in bulk, which was profitable for exporters. But for years, this method of export has declined, and everything depends on the quality, beauty, and efficiency of packaging. Even the Persian Gulf countries, which were the largest importers of fruit from Iran, have now adopted strict regulations and standards for this work, which makes exporting fruit to these countries difficult.
3- Residues of Fertilizers and Pesticides in Fruits, a Problem in Fruit Exports
In fact, after the problem of transporting the fruit to target markets, improper cultivation of fruits and vegetables and the presence of residues of pesticides or fertilizer additives in food sections are considered one of the major problems of Iranian fruit exports.
According to a research conducted at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and published in the Environmental Sciences Journal, the residues of diazinon in melons in various regions of Iran have been about 4 to 5 times the permissible limit, and in cucumbers, it has been from 2 to 6 times the limit. This issue, especially in pistachio exports, poses a serious challenge to Iran to the extent that every year, part of Iran’s pistachio exports is returned due to the presence of pesticide residues and insecticides in the fruit.
This issue of product returns can cause significant damage to the face of our country’s agricultural industry on the global scale, and perhaps if repeated, we will lose our customers and even no new country will be willing to buy Iranian agricultural products except at very low prices.
