"Smuggling" of Iranian palm trees to Qatar and Kuwait confirmed

The head of the National Iranian Date Association confirmed the news of the purchase of Iranian date palms by Kuwait and Qatar. He said that date palm exports from Iran to the Persian Gulf countries have taken place in the southern cities of the country, especially Bushehr, and are still ongoing.

Mohsen Rashid Farrokhi, head of the National Dates Association, confirmed in an interview with ILNA on Monday, November 8, that Qatar and Kuwait continue to purchase Iranian date palms.

A video was recently published online showing date palms being exported to the Persian Gulf countries after being uprooted.

This economic activist emphasized that palm oil exports are being implemented despite the restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad.

Rashid Farrokhi has also said that this practice (uprooting palm trees and selling them to Gulf countries) should be stopped until it becomes a business.

According to the head of the National Iranian Date Association, the sale of Iranian date palms should be considered smuggling, and those who attempt such activities will be severely dealt with.

Rashid Farrokhi added: "We cannot deny the country's drought and the water shortage in southern cities, but let's not forget that palm groves are considered national assets of the country and should not be allowed to leave under any pretext."

The head of the National Date Association has also criticized that the country's assets are being auctioned off due to lack of proper management.

He said that Gulf countries, including Kuwait and Qatar, are buyers of Iranian palm trees and that the passage of barges carrying these cargoes should be seriously prevented.

Source: DW