TEHRAN- The Director General of Golestan Province Customs, referring to a four-percent increase in the value of exported goods from the province's customs offices in the past Iranian calendar year 1404 (ended on March 20), said: "Last year, 858,000 tons of various non-oil goods were exported from Golestan's customs checkpoints."

Shahriyar Shahriyari stated in an interview: "Last year, 858,000 tons of various non-oil goods were exported from the province's customs checkpoints, with the value of these goods amounting to approximately $481 million."

He added: "The export of this volume of non-oil goods saw a 19-percent increase in weight and a four-percent increase in value compared to the previous year."

Shahriyari further noted: "Golestan's most important export items included pipes and profiles, various types of pistachios, cheese, ready-to-use aquatic feed, iodine, eggs, iron or steel rods, particleboard, and polystyrene, most of which were exported to Central Asian countries."

He also reported the import of 58,000 tons of various non-oil goods into the country through Golestan's customs last year, saying: "The value of imported goods exceeded $111 million, marking a 24-percent increase in value and a 70-perfect increase in weight compared to the previous year."

According to him, the most significant imported non-oil goods included "diesel generators, gas cogeneration units (producing electricity and heat simultaneously), crude soybean oil, fuel oil, diesel generators, and ozone chloride," which entered the country from Asian and European countries via Golestan's customs checkpoints.

The Director General of Golestan Customs also addressed the transit situation at the Incheh Borun border customs last year, stating: "In total, 115,000 tons of goods worth $346 million were transited through this border point last year, showing a 45-percent increase in weight and an eight-percent increase in value compared to the previous year."

Shahriyari also reported a 129-percent growth in Golestan's customs revenues last year.

According to him, overall last year, Golestan's customs indicators for exports, imports, transit, and revenue experienced acceptable growth.

Golestan Province, situated in northeastern Iran along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, is a region of significant agricultural wealth and growing strategic importance in trade and transit. Its economy, trade dynamics, and geographic position create a unique profile within Iran's national framework.

The cornerstone of Golestan's economy is its robust and diverse agricultural sector. The province benefits from fertile plains, a humid subtropical climate in the north, and ample water resources, making it one of Iran's most vital food baskets. It is the country's leading producer of oilseeds, a major contributor of wheat, and a key region for fruits like oranges, kiwis, and cotton. Livestock, poultry, and fisheries (especially from the Caspian Sea) further strengthen the agro-sector.

This agricultural dominance shapes the province's industrial landscape, which is heavily oriented towards agro-processing. Numerous factories are engaged in cotton ginning, edible oil extraction, flour milling, meat processing, and dairy production.

Golestan's trade flows are a direct reflection of its economic output. The province is a net exporter of agricultural and processed food products to other Iranian provinces and international markets. Key exports include vegetable oils, cereals, meat products, citrus fruits, and textiles. Imports are generally limited to machinery, fertilizers, and consumer goods not produced locally. The province engages in cross-border trade with Turkmenistan via the Incheh Borun border crossing, which facilitates the exchange of goods, though its volume is modest compared to Iran's western borders.

Golestan's most transformative potential lies in its geostrategic location for international transit. The province is a critical node in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the multi-modal route connecting India, Iran, Russia, and Europe. The key infrastructure unlocking this potential is the Gorgan Railroad, which extends northeast to the border. This rail link allows cargo from Indian Ocean ports like Chabahar to travel across Iran, through Golestan, into Turkmenistan and Central Asia, and onward to Russia and beyond. The Gorgan-Mashhad railway also enhances north-south connectivity within Iran.

Furthermore, the province is integral to the "East-West" transit corridor along the Caspian Sea littoral, linking Central Asia to the Caucasus and Turkey. The port of Gorgan, although small, serves as a Caspian Sea gateway for regional trade. The development of the Gorgan-Bojnurd railway will further solidify this east-west link. These corridors position Golestan not just as an agricultural producer, but as a vital transit bridge, offering Iran significant opportunities to earn revenue from cargo movement and logistics services.

As the capital and administrative heart of Golestan Province, Gorgan functions as the central commercial, service, and distribution hub for the entire region. Its economy is intrinsically linked to the province's agricultural wealth. The city hosts numerous food processing plants, textile factories (especially cotton), and edible oil refineries, processing raw materials from the surrounding farms. Gorgan's wholesale markets are critical nodes for distributing agricultural products like citrus, soybeans, and wheat to national markets.

The city is a major center for trade and services, including banking, education, and healthcare. Its strategic location on the main north-south highway connecting Tehran to Mashhad and the border with Turkmenistan reinforces its role as a key logistic and transit point. While not a major industrial city by national standards, Gorgan's economic strength lies in its agro-industrial sector and its central role in coordinating the trade and commerce of one of Iran's most fertile provinces.

MA