Iran’s Coffee Industry Caught in Currency and Quota Constraints; 650,000 Jobs under Pressure

Iran’s coffee industry, with annual consumption of around 55,000 tons and imports of 43–45 thousand tons, represents a major consumer segment of the country’s food economy, directly and indirectly supporting over 650,000 jobs.

 

The sector faces structural challenges including import quotas, uncertainty in foreign currency allocation, strict banking procedures, and lengthy import processes, all contributing to higher costs and market instability.

Domestic policies, particularly quota systems and currency allocation restrictions, have had a stronger impact on price increases and efficiency losses than external factors. A portion of import registrations is still pending currency allocation, adding further pressure on importers.