Tehran -- The Export Promotion Center of Iran is to offer subsidies to exporters of raisins in the first four months (March 21-July 21, 2001) of the Iranian year 1380.

The Public Relations Department of the Export Promotion Center of Iran (EPCI) said the subsidy allocation offered to those exporters is in line with the policy of encouraging and promoting exports of non-oil goods and in accordance with a decision of the Economy Council.

Iran is the world's third largest exporter of raisins, exporting some 92,000 tons, worth $70 million, annually, IRNA reported.

Iran finds it increasingly hard to export its raisins due to fierce competition of the U.S. and Turkish grape farmers.

World raisin production is approximately one million tons a year while global consumption is 720,000 tons.