“Smuggling” of Iranian Date Palms to Qatar and Kuwait Confirmed
The head of Iran’s National Date Palm Association confirmed news of Kuwait and Qatar purchasing Iranian date palms. He stated that the export of date palms from Iran to Persian Gulf littoral states, particularly from southern cities such as Bushehr, has taken place and continues to this day.
Mohsen Rashid Farrokhi, head of the National Date Palm Association, confirmed on Monday, November 8, in an interview with ILNA that the purchase of Iranian date palms by Qatar and Kuwait is ongoing.
Recently, a video was circulated on social media showing date palms being exported to Persian Gulf littoral states after being uprooted.
This economic activist stressed that the export of date palms is being carried out despite the restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad.
Rashid Farrokhi also stated that as long as this practice (uprooting date palms and selling them to Persian Gulf littoral states) has not become an established profession, it must be stopped.
According to the head of Iran’s National Date Palm Association, the sale of Iranian date palms should be considered smuggling, and those undertaking such actions should be confronted severely.
Rashid Farrokhi added: “We cannot deny the drought in the country and water scarcity in southern cities, but we must not forget that date palm orchards are among the national assets of the country and should not be allowed to leave under any pretext.”
The head of the National Date Palm Association also criticized the fact that the country’s assets are being auctioned off due to poor management.
He stated that Persian Gulf littoral states, including Kuwait and Qatar, are buyers of Iranian date palms, and serious efforts must be made to prevent the passage of boats carrying these shipments.
Source: DW
