Horticultural and Greenhouse food products are among the most important segments of Iran’s agricultural sector, playing a key role in food security, employment, and foreign exchange earnings due to the country’s diverse climate, strong domestic demand, and export potential.

Iran’s four-season climate enables the open-field production of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and melons. Additionally, greenhouse cultivation—using advanced systems such as climate control, drip irrigation, and hydroponics—allows for year-round, high-quality, and efficient production.

Horticultural and greenhouse farming offer high profitability due to efficient resource use and the possibility of multiple harvests per year. These products reduce import dependency, support rural employment, and generate income through exports.

Iran exports a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, melons, and greenhouse-grown products to neighboring countries, the Gulf states, Russia, Central Asia, and some European markets.

Iran’s competitive advantages include diverse agro-climatic zones, affordable labor, strategic geographic proximity to key markets, and extensive experience in horticulture. Enhancing packaging, cold chain infrastructure, and international standardization can further strengthen Iran’s position in global fresh produce markets.