Sedaghat R.
Abstract
Pistachio is the most important agricultural crop cultivated extensively in Iran's dry zones. The country earns
sizable income from Pistachio export to many countries. This paper aims to study the production and export growth
and export competitiveness of pistachio in Iran. Time series data on area, yield, production, export quantity and
export values collected for the period 1991-2002. Also destination wise data on exports collected both for Iran
and USA during the period 1996-2003. Exponential trend equation and Constant market share model were used for the
aim of the study. The growth rate of area planted was 5.12 percent and significant against non significant values
for production, yield, export quantity and export value for the study period. Export Quantity has changed tremendously
during the period (1996-2003). It declined from 140 000 tones in 1996 to 57 907 tones in 1997 and then it increased
to 124 872 tones in the successive year. Again the same trend occurred from 1999 to 2003. The market distribution
effect and competitiveness effect played a major role in changes of Iran's export during period I (1996-1999),
while commodity composition effect and market distribution effect were the major sources of export changes in
period II (2000-2003).
Key words:
export competitiveness, export growth, trend equation, export quantity, export value