Iranco Magazine Team
Technical specs, Mamra count grading, laboratory limits, India and Gulf demand, and commercial strategy versus the USA and Spain
Export guide · Mamra almond · 2026
Iran Almond Export: Target Markets, Quality and Competition with Major Producers
Technical specs, Mamra count grading, laboratory limits, India and Gulf demand, and commercial strategy versus the USA and Spain.
From harvest to port discharge: contract specs, biochemical contrast with California, buying patterns in India and the Gulf, and optical sorting plus container logistics.
| Key index | Value | Trade meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari | 24% | Mamra hub on Zayanderud |
| Mamra kernel fat | 55–60% | Sensory gap vs California |
| Commercial moisture | Max 6.5% | DDP-06 / aflatoxin control |
| HS | 080211 / 080212 | In-shell / shelled kernels |
Introduction
Tree almonds are a strategic non-oil export. Mountain-grown Iranian lots offer high fat, dense dry matter and stable taste without mandatory California pasteurisation — but sorting and QC must match India, the Gulf, EU and EAEU rules.
1. Production ecology and geography
Export clusters: Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari 24% (Saman, ~20k ha), South Khorasan 18%, Fars 13%, Razavi Khorasan 10%, Markazi 7%, Zanjan 6%. Bloom late Esfand–Ordibehesht; peak harvest Shahrivar–Mehr; early summer lots start export contracting.
2. Commercial types
Mamra: premium; 30–36% kernel yield, 30–45% twins, ~60% oil. Paper-skin (Monagha): 50–65% yield, fragile shell. Stone: hard shell, long storage, oil/milling. White: cream kernels for GCC nut mixes. Shahroudi: slicing/chopping lines.
| Type | Yield | Oil | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamra | 30–36% | 55–60% | India & Gulf |
| Paper-skin | 50–65% | 50–54% | Luxury mixes |
| Stone | 25–30% | 52–56% | Industry |
| White | 45–55% | 48–52% | Premium nuts |
| Shahroudi | 32–38% | 48–52% | Slices/chips |
3. Mamra grading — count per 100 g
Lower count = larger kernels and higher price. A 10-count upgrade (e.g. 100→90) can add 15–25% value.
| Grade | Count/100g | Target buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Super Royal (5A) | 80–85 | Gulf/India gifting |
| Royal (4A) | 90–95 | Hotels & gift packs |
| Export standard (3A) | 100–105 | India wholesale |
| Commercial (2A) | 110–115 | Retail chains |
| Mini | ≥130 | Ayurveda & oil |
Iranco accepts purchase requests with grade and destination specs.
4. QC and laboratory tests
UNECE DDP-06; moisture ≤6.5% (premium 4.5–5.5%, Aw<0.60). EU 2023/915: B1≤8, total≤10 µg/kg direct food; 12/15 after resort. FFA≤1%, PV≤1.5, chips≤2%, bitter≈0, Salmonella negative.
| Parameter | Limit | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤6.5% | Critical |
| Aflatoxin B1 (EU) | 8 µg/kg | Customs |
| FFA | ≤1% | Rancidity |
| PV | ≤1.5 | Oxidation |
| Chips/breakage | ≤2% | Export grade |
5. Target export markets
India: top Mamra buyer; APMC & Khari Baoli; peak Aug–Oct. UAE: super royal + paper-skin; Dubai Municipality. Turkey: AFRT, slicing. Russia: EAC mark. EU: HACCP, traceability.
| Country | Preference | Peak season |
|---|---|---|
| India | Mamra 80–110 | Pre-Diwali |
| UAE | Super royal + paper-skin | Holidays |
| Turkey | Stone / mid Mamra | Late autumn |
| Russia | Industrial / economy | Pre-NY |
| EU | Organic / high fat | Sep–Dec |
6. International competition
USA: volume, PPO/steam, fat <50%. Spain: Marcona, high EU cost. Australia: counter-season. Iran: unmatched premium Mamra in India/Gulf; gap in mechanisation and pack.
| Origin | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Iran | Mamra taste & fat | Sorting/mechanisation |
| USA | Volume & price | Mandatory pasteurisation |
| Spain | Marcona | Drought cost |
| Australia | Opposite season | California-like profile |
7–9. Processing, MAP/vacuum, ISPM 15 & logistics
Dehull green <48h, dry <40°C, multi-stage crackers, colour/NIR sorters, 100g screens. MAP N₂ >98% or vacuum; 5–7 ply cartons; HT pallets 56°C/30min. Bandar Abbas→India FCL 10–18 days: liner + CaCl₂; reefer 10–12°C; TIR Tabriz–Bazargan/Astara. Stores isolated from spices/coffee odours.
| Mode | Conditions | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Dry FCL | RH<60% + desiccant | 10–18 days |
| Reefer | 10–12°C | 10–18 days |
| Road TIR | T<18°C summer | 5–8 days |
| Air | Samples/luxury | 24–48h |
10–11. Pricing & industrial uses
Grade, in-shell yield, chips, FX, Diwali calendar, Incoterms (EXW, FOB Bandar Abbas, CIF Nhava Sheva). Uses: macaron, chocolate, almond milk, Ayurveda, cosmetic oil.
| Industry | Best type | Iranian edge |
|---|---|---|
| Macaron | Mid Mamra meal | High oil — soft paste |
| Chocolate | Shahroudi/stone | Heat resistance |
| Plant milk | Mamra 110–130 | Stable emulsion |
| Ayurveda | Mini + stone | Vitamin E density |
12. Importer checklist
- Contract type and numeric grade band
- In-shell yield test (≥33% Mamra)
- DDP-06 moisture and destination aflatoxin
- Chip, bitter and insect caps
- 1 kg sealed witness sample
- MAP/vacuum, ISPM 15, container type
- SGS/IEC inspection, phytosanitary set
- CAD after inspection
13–14. Quotes & sourcing via Iranco
Send type, kernel vs in-shell, grade, defect tolerances, pack, tonnage, port, Incoterms and special COA needs. Iranco links buyers to orchards and optical sorting lines in Chaharmahal so shipment matches approved samples.
15. Summary
Iran holds a durable premium niche; scale-up requires DDP-06, EU 2023/915, optical sort, MAP, 100g grades and anti–container-sweat logistics.
16. FAQ
Why is Mamra pricier than California?
Limited origin, 55–60% fat, no PPO, Ayurveda demand.
How does grading work?
Kernel count per 100 g; 80–85 is largest.
Moisture cap?
6.5% DDP-06; premium 4.5–5.5%.
EU aflatoxin?
B1=8, total=10 ppb direct food.
Ocean freight?
MAP, CaCl₂ desiccant, liner, summer reefer.
Confectionery almond?
Stone/Shahroudi chips; Mamra meal for macaron.
MOQ?
~1×20' FCL (10–14 t vacuum kernels).
Direct order?
Submit specs on Iranco.
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