Date: 04 Mar 2000
Time: 17:48:48
Remote Name: 24.30.137.96
03/04/2000 Dow Jones International News (Copyright (c) 2000, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
TEHRAN -(Dow Jones)- The total value of Iran 's imports fell 6.3% to $12.50 billion during the first 11 months of the current Iranian year, which began March 21, 1999, according to a report released Saturday by Iran 's Customs Administration.
Food products, industrial machinery and drugs are traditionally the major components of the country's imports.
Iran 's imports totaled $13.0 billion in the previous year.
The Customs Administration didn't provide total export earnings for the 11-month period.
It said the value of the country's exports of non-oil products totaled $2.8 billion during the 11-month period, up 5% from a year earlier.
Exports included mainly Iranian handicrafts, led by Persian rugs, at $700 million; agricultural products, which are sold mostly at Gulf area markets, at $700 million; chemicals, $300 million.
Iran 's main export commodity is crude oil. The country's oil exports were estimated at 2.04 million barrels a day in January.