TEHRAN- As announced by a provincial official, 17.029 million tons of non-oil commodities valued at $4.925 billion were exported from Khuzestan province, in the southwest Iran, during the first 10 months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2025-January 20, 2026).

Behrouz Qarehbeygi, and official with the province’s customs department, also announced that exports to Iraq, as one of Khuzestan's most important trade targets during this period, amounted to 5.332 million tons, worth $1.219 billion.

Referring to the volume of imports in the first ten months of this year, he added that 16.034 million tons of goods, valued at $7.242 billion, were imported through the province's borders. This represents a 19 percent increase in weight and a two percent increase in value.

The official further stated that the revenue of the province's customs during this same period showed 51 percent growth compared to the same period last year.

Referring to the volume of passenger traffic through Khuzestan's customs, he mentioned that over the past ten months, 3.364 million people entered through the borders of Shalamcheh, Chazabeh, Ahvaz Airport, and Khorramshahr's maritime border, while 3.532 million people left the province.

According to IRNA, the main export products from the province include light hydrocarbons, rebar, iron concentrate, natural gas, pentane plus, urea fertilizer, steel ingots, light polyethylene, and propane.

The export destinations for Khuzestan's goods are South Africa, Afghanistan, India, Ghana, Kuwait, Oman, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and China.

Khuzestan is a vital economic province in Iran. Pillars of the economy in the province are:

A. Energy Sector (the dominant force): Khuzestan is the heartland of Iran's petroleum industry. The province accounts for approximately 80 percent of Iran's onshore oil production and a significant portion of its natural gas. It hosts major refineries, petrochemical complexes, and pipeline networks. The Petrochemical Special Economic Zone (PETZONE) in Mahshahr is a critical hub, producing a wide range of derivatives for export. This sector provides the lion's share of provincial GDP, government revenue, and foreign currency earnings for Iran. It drives related industries like pipeline manufacturing, engineering services, and logistics.

B. Agriculture and agro-industry: Thanks to abundant water from the Karun River and fertile soil, Khuzestan is a major producer of wheat, sugar cane, corn, dates, and vegetables. The province has the country's primary sugarcane farms and processing factories.

C. Industry and trade: * Heavy Industries: Steel, copper, aluminum, and pipe manufacturing are prominent. * Ports and trade: Bandar Imam Khomeini and Bandar Mahshahr are two of Iran's most important commercial ports on the Persian Gulf. They handle the bulk of Iran's non-oil maritime trade and are the primary export points for petrochemicals, minerals, and agricultural products. These ports are connected to the national rail network, facilitating trade with Central Asia and beyond. * Special economic and free trade zones: The Arvand Free Trade Zone is designed to attract foreign investment and boost export-oriented manufacturing and trade, leveraging its strategic location near Iraq.

Khuzestan has a long border with Iraq's Basra province. The Shalamcheh and Chazabeh border crossings are active corridors for the export of Iranian goods (especially construction materials, food, and technical services) into the Iraqi reconstruction market. This is a growing and vital trade route.

The province is the natural gateway for Iran's expanding economic influence and trade with Iraq, a long-term strategic market.

Iran aims to position Khuzestan's ports as a key link in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting India, Iran, Russia, and Europe.

Khuzestan is the engine of Iran's export economy through oil, gas, and petrochemicals, and a critical trade gateway via its ports and border with Iraq.

MA