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Iran
(information)
Population as of 2020: 83 million 19 of 193
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Region: Middle East
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $436.91 billion 35 of 193
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Top Exports
Iran’s export structure in **2024** is heavily dominated by **energy (oil & gas)**, with additional exports in **petrochemicals, metals, and agricultural products**. Iran’s total exports in 2024 were about $112–113 billion. 👉 Oil and natural gas alone account for **~80%+ of export revenue**, making Iran one of the most **energy-dependent exporters in the world** | Rank | Export Category | Notes | | ---- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1 | **Mineral fuels (crude oil & refined petroleum)** | Dominant export (~50–60%+ of goods exports). | | 2 | **Natural gas & petroleum gases** | Major energy export (LPG, condensates). | | 3 | **Plastics & plastic articles** | Petrochemical-based exports. | | 4 | **Organic chemicals** | Includes petrochemicals and intermediates. | | 5 | **Iron & steel** | Large industrial export sector. | | 6 | **Fertilizers** | Urea and nitrogen-based products. | | 7 | **Copper & copper products** | Mining and refining output. | | 8 | **Aluminum & aluminum products** | Industrial metals. | | 9 | **Ores & mineral products** | Iron ore and concentrates. | | 10 | **Fruits & nuts** | Pistachios, dates, and agricultural goods. | Key individual export products (by value) | Rank | Product | Notes | | ---- | ------------------------------------- | -------------------------- | | 11 | **Crude petroleum** | Largest single export | | 12 | **Refined petroleum products** | Fuel oils and derivatives | | 13 | **Propane & butane (LPG)** | Major gas exports | | 14 | **Ethylene polymers (plastics)** | Top non-oil export | | 15 | **Iron ore & concentrates** | Key raw material export | | 16 | **Acyclic alcohols (petrochemicals)** | Chemical intermediates | | 17 | **Urea (fertilizer)** | Widely exported globally | | 18 | **Unwrought aluminum** | Industrial metal export | | 19 | **Pistachios & nuts** | Famous agricultural export | | 20 | **Zinc & copper products** | Metals and alloys | Key Takeaways * 🛢️ **Energy dominates overwhelmingly:** * Oil and gas make up the **vast majority of export earnings** * 🧪 **Petrochemical strength:** * Iran exports large volumes of **plastics, chemicals, and fertilizers** * ⛏️ **Resource-based economy:** * Metals and minerals (iron, copper, aluminum) are key secondary exports * 🌰 **Niche agricultural exports:** * Iran is globally known for **pistachios, dates, and specialty crops** * 🌏 **Asia-focused trade:** * Over **95% of exports go to Asian markets**, especially China Top Importers of Iran’s Exports (2024) | Rank | Country | Notes | | ---- | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **China** | By far the largest buyer; crude oil, petrochemicals. | | 2 | **Iraq** | Major regional partner; gas, electricity, food, and manufactured goods. | | 3 | **United Arab Emirates** | Trade hub; re-exports and petrochemicals. | | 4 | **Turkey** | Energy, metals, and industrial goods. | | 5 | **India** | Oil (limited), chemicals, and agricultural products. | | 6 | **Afghanistan** | Food, fuel, and consumer goods. | | 7 | **Pakistan** | Energy, chemicals, and agricultural goods. | | 8 | **Oman** | Regional trade; fuels and re-exports. | | 9 | **Russia** | Growing trade; energy and industrial goods. | | 10 | **Malaysia** | Petrochemicals and refined products. | Key Patterns * 🛢️ **China dominates overwhelmingly**: * The primary buyer of **Iranian oil and petrochemicals** * 🌏 **Asia-centered trade**: * Nearly all top partners are **Asian or regional countries** * 🔁 **Sanctions shape trade routes**: * Countries like **UAE and Oman** act as **intermediaries and re-export hubs** * 🌍 **Limited Western presence**: * Very little direct trade with **Europe or the United States** due to sanctions
