Parliament Question: Exports to Iran

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2881 ANSWERED ON 10/03/2026 EXPORTS TO IRAN 2881. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P: Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to state: (a) whether the escalating crisis in Iran has hit exports from India stranding basmati, tea and pharma exports amid US administration looming threat of 25% tariff on countries doing business with Tehran and also consignments worth over Rs. 2000 crore headed for Iran are stranded at Kandla and Mundra ports as traders held on to shipments because of a breakdown in port operations in Iran; (b) whether Iran is the second-biggest buyer of Indian basmati rice importing around 12 lakh tonnes annually valued at over Rs. 12,000/- crore; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) the impact on Indian economy by such move by US administration looming threat of 25% tariff on countries doing business with Tehran; and (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard to save India's exports to Iran due to political uncertainty in Iran? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री जिजिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) India’s trade with Iran is mainly in Cereals and Pharma. Due to ongoing developments in West Asia, there are disruptions in shipping and port operations which is also affecting the cargo movement. The detail of the Cargo lying at Port (meant for export to Iran) as on 01.03.2026 is as under: i. Kandla Port: Rice, tea and pharmaceuticals cargo weighing 35,962 MTs having approximate Free on Board (FOB) value of Rs. 305.67 Cr. ii. Mundra Port: Rice, tea and pharmaceuticals cargo weighing 5,676 MTs having approximate Free on Board (FOB) value of Rs. 40.72 Cr. (b) & (c) Iran is one of the key buyer of Indian Basmati Rice. The trade of Basmati rice between India and Iran is as under: Basmati Rice Export to Iran Year Apr 2024 -Jan 2025 Apr 2025 – Jan 2026 Value(Rs Cr) 4861.83 5424.24 Quantity(ton) 6,27,030 7,90,691 Source-DGCIS (d) & (e) As on date, US tariff on countries doing business with Iran has not been effected. *****