Iran’s customs office (IRICA) announced that the country’s non-oil exports have increased 21% in the first quarter of the current Iranian year (started on March 21).

IRICA Chief Alireza Moqaddasi said on Wednesday that Iran had a trade surplus of $605mln in the June quarter.

He added that Iran’s trade had increased by 19.5% in value terms compared to the quarter to June 21, 2021.

IRICA figures showed that Iran’s non-oil exports had reached a total value of $13.069bln over the first quarter of the calendar year, up 21% compared to the same quarter last year.

Imports rose 18% year on year in the June quarter to stand at $12.464bln, showed the figures.

China was the largest importer from Iran over the period with $4.214bln worth of purchases, followed by Iraq at $1.824bln and Turkey at $1.737bln, the customs data showed.

Iranian exports to the UAE and India reached $1.645mln and $424mln, respectively, showed the data.

IRICA figures showed that the UAE was the largest exporter to Iran over the quarter to late June with $3.426bln worth of shipments delivered to the country, followed by China at $3.131bln and Turkey at $1.273bln.

India and Germany’s exports to Iran over the same period reached $512mln and $456mln, respectively, showed the figures.

Iran’s trade with world countries has increased after the US imposed the harshest sanctions against Tehran in 2018.