A fruit and vegetable sector development plan approved by the government seeks to increase exports to $8-10 billion by 2030.
Processed fruits and vegetables are expected to account for at least 30 percent of this, with two million tons expected to be shipped abroad, double the volume in 2020.
The plan also seeks to attract investment to establish 50-60 medium and large-scale fruit and vegetable processing facilities with modern technologies that can compete in the international market.
The government will offer incentives for such investment
Existing fruit and vegetable warehouses and processing facilities will be upgraded, and farms, processing plants and distribution channels will be linked.
Exports of fruits and vegetables fell by 13 porcent last year to $3.26 billion due to the impact of Covid-19, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
But exports to some countries with stringent quality standards, such as the U.S, South Korea and Japan, increased by 5-11 percent.