کنگره بین المللی زیست فناوری گیاهان دارویی و قارچ های کوهی

صفحه اصلی / پنجمین کنگره بین المللی و ششمین همایش ملی زیست فناوری گیاهان دارویی و قارچ های کوهی

Investigation of the Export and Import of Major Iranian Medicinal Plants

نویسندگان :

Bahar Ghanbari¹ Ali Ammarellou²

1- دانشگاه زنجان 2- دانشگاه زنجان

کلمات کلیدی :

Medicinal plants،Imports،Exports،Trade balance

چکیده :

Iran, with 11 of the world’s 13 distinct climate zones, possesses remarkable richness in the genetic diversity of its plant cover. The number of plant species in Iran is estimated at between 8,000 and 12,000 out of the world’s roughly 420,000 plant species, more than 2,300 of which have medicinal, aromatic, culinary-spice, or cosmetic–hygienic properties. Around 1,700 species are unique to Iran and thus considered endemic. According to available statistics, Iran ranks first globally in the export of various medicinal plants, including saffron, damask rose, asafetida, galbanum, gum tragacanth, and others. Other export plants from Iran include cumin, chamomile, yarrow, black pepper, hollyhock, anise, thyme, asparagus, hyssop, turmeric, licorice and bitter licorice, mastic gum, shir-e-tiqal (Eremurus), henna, green cumin, psyllium, lemon balm, sidr leaves (Jujube leaves), sage, wild celery (kelus), maidenhair fern, Khansar manna (Persian manna), chicory flower, borage, mastic resin, lavender, bay leaves, and more. Major buyers of Iranian medicinal plants include Turkey, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Japan, Germany, and China. While Iran is a major exporter of medicinal plants, it is also a selective, limited importer of these products. Saffron, barberry, and licorice account for the largest share of exports, whereas the small flow of imports mainly consists of plant extracts and raw materials for processing. According to Iran Customs data and the UN Comtrade database, the total value of the country’s medicinal plant exports in 2023 was about USD 550 million, with the largest share attributed to saffron. Imports were limited—around USD 40 million in 2023—and comprised plant extracts, seeds, and raw processing materials, sourced mainly from India, China, and Turkey. Statistics for 2023 show that the value of Iran’s saffron exports exceeded USD 300 million, barberry around USD 50 million, and licorice (including roots and extract) nearly USD 30 million. The primary destinations for saffron were China, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and Italy, while barberry was exported mainly to the European Union and Persian Gulf countries. Licorice was exported mostly to Germany, Japan, and South Korea. Key imported items included concentrated herbal extracts such as ginseng, chamomile, and licorice derivatives, as well as essential oils and high-purity pharmaceutical ingredients, primarily supplied by India (about 25 percent), China (about 20 percent), Turkey, and Germany. These imports are intended to compensate for shortages of pharmaceutical raw materials and to secure high-quality extracts not widely produced domestically. Given climate change, recurring droughts, shifting government support policies, and the political conditions affecting international interactions, annual data on the export and import of medicinal plants—as well as the quantity and quality of traded items—are subject to change and must be updated regularly. Clearly, continuous monitoring of the factors influencing exports and imports can help mitigate potential challenges in this health-oriented market. This article examines and discusses the aforementioned issues in detail, based on the most recent available information.