The pistachio tree was domesticated in Iran about three to four thousand years ago, and has been cultivated. Due to the relative resistance to dehydration of pistachios, and its low water requirement, as well as its capability to grow in alkaline and saline soils, it was welcomed by the gardeners from the old days, and 15% of the country's gardens were dedicated to this product.
Sarakhs and Sabzevar are the oldest cities of pistachio cultivation in Iran. The history of pistachio cultivation in Damghan and Qazvin was in the 7th century AH, and in the province of Kerman was in 12th century AH. Pistachio cultivation in other parts of Iran has a history of 150 to 200 years.
The importance of pistachio in production; making new jobs; exportation value; nutritional value; and the environmental impact is significant, and that's why it was as the most important option for changing the pattern of cultivation by many gardeners in the recent years.
The yield: 775 kg / ha.
In 2016, 130 thousand tons of pistachio was exported from Iran, which earns almost 1175 million dollars, and was ranked 1st in the world.
The 2nd rank belongs to the US, with 1074 million dollars’ export of pistachio. According to FAO, Iran's pistachio export in 2016 was equivalent to 106 thousand tons which worth $ 686 million, according to these statistics, and thus ranked second in world. In table below you can find more detailed info about pistachio export from Iran in 2017 and 2018.
Ten-year trend of cultivating area: In the past 10 years, the area of cultivation of pistachio in Iran has increased by 39%, and jumped from 338,000 hectares in 2008 to 470,000 hectares in 2017.
Trend of last ten years of pistachio production in Iran: Pistachio production has grown by 69% over the past 10 years, i.e. from 2008 till 2017. The production in 2008 was 165 thousand tons and in 2017 it was estimated to be about 287 thousand tons.
A review of the ten-year trend of Iranian pistachio exports shows that export of pistachio has increased from 106 thousand tons to about 131 thousand tons in 2016, i.e. an increase of about 23%. The highest level of export of pistachio happened in 2013, which was reported to be around 183 thousand tons.
The value of the country's pistachio exports in 2016 was $ 1175 million, which made the greatest non-oil exports, i.e. green gold, pistachio.