Evaluation of challenges and strategies for the development of oilseeds and problems of oil self-sufficiency in Iran

Oilseed production plays an important role in saving the currency, accelerating the process of economic development, security and food independence of the country. According to official reports, the country's annual crude oil demand is 1.5 million tons, but studies indicate that this amount has increased to 1.9 million tons in recent years with increasing capacity and market demand. There are three ways to meet the country's oil needs. The first is oil production from oilseeds, which is met from 3 million tons of oilseeds and 600,000 tons of crude oil. The second method is direct import of crude oil. For example, 510,000 tons of palm oil, 500,000 tons of sunflower oil and 100,000 to 200,000 tons of soybean oil are imported annually. The last method is to obtain oil from domestically grown oilseeds. In 1999, 270,000 tons of rapeseed, 110,000 tons of rapeseed oil and 50,000 tons of soybean, 10,000 tons of soybean oil were obtained, and the total production of oil from domestically grown oilseeds reaches 120,000 tons. This means that of the 1,900,000 tons of domestic demand, only the production of 120,000 tons is fully domestic. Annually, more than 30% of foreign exchange is spent on basic oilseed commodities and their extraction. Thus, in 2020, the value of imports of oilseeds, oil and flour amounted to 2.193 million dollars, which is equivalent to 9210 billion tomans in the currency of 4200 tomans. Therefore, the production of oilseeds plays an important role in saving the currency, accelerating the process of economic development, security and food independence of the country.

Oilseeds Agricultural products Human food sources Oil self-sufficiency