Rafsanjan Kaleh Ghouchi (Jumbo) Pistachio Producers | Iranco
18–26 ounce grades, hulling terminals, 20+ processing/export units and Nogh–Dehno–Kashkuiyeh matrix
B2B guide to Rafsanjan Jumbo pistachio — split vs closed grades, terminal workflow, RPPC, Falat, Kimiyay Sabz, Nooghestan and EU/China export lanes.
Kaleh Ghouchi (Jumbo) pistachio in Rafsanjan’s chain
Kaleh Ghouchi — traded globally as Jumbo — is Iran’s second most influential commercial cultivar after the round type; its biological origin is Dehno village in Rafsanjan County. The large round nut with a wide natural split has the highest thousand-kernel weight and is typically marketed at 18–26 count per ounce.
Grading & commercial derivatives
The SKU line runs from natural split (top value) through closed shell, mechanically opened, kernels/slivers and industrial flavors; large kernels are prized in confectionery and ice cream.
| Grade / SKU | Count (oz) | Split status | Traits | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super extra | 18–20 / 20–22 | 100% natural split | Clean shell, plump kernel | Luxury snack, EU & UAE |
| Commercial grade 1 | 22–24 | Natural split | Uniform sort | Russia, Turkey, India, China |
| Standard | 24–26 | Split / blend | Clean shell | Mass retail, bulk export |
| Closed shell | Kernel >50 g | No split | Intact shell | Cracking, MO |
| Mechanically opened | 18–26 | Heat shock | Controlled moisture | Central Asia, industry |
| Kernels & slivers | Kernel weight | Shelled | Large purple-skinned kernel | Confectionery, ice cream |
| Flavored roasted | 20–26 | Split roasted | Salt, saffron, lemon | Luxury retail, MAP |
Hulling terminal workflow
Intake & hulling
Fresh loads from hoppers to rotary/cylinder hullers; green hull removed without damaging the shell.
Wash & flotation
Tanks and hydraulic separators; light blanks floated off dense kernels.
Industrial drying
Moisture cut from >40% to 5–6% in rotary or tray dryers with indirect hot air.
Screening & count
Rotary screens for 18–26 ounce grades; roller separation of closed vs split.
Optical sort
Multispectral color sorters; stained or damaged nuts ejected by air jets.
Packing & MAP
50 kg bags or roast/flavor/vacuum and nitrogen MAP lines.
Production district matrix
Nogh delivers the highest natural split rate and palest shells; central Dehno is the cultivar’s genetic cradle; Kashkuiyeh feeds bulk into city plants.
| District | Chain role | Orchard | Processing | Key hubs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nogh district | Premium origin | Low yield, high split | Luxury sort & export | Bahreman, Esmailabad |
| Central district | Cultivar birthplace | Historic Dehno orchards | Terminals & labs | Dehno, Tajabad |
| Kashkuiyeh | Propagation & bulk | Factory feedstock | Primary sorting | Industrial town |
| Industrial zones | Processing & customs | Sort, MAP, export | Special economic zone | Zones 1 & 2 |
Active company database
Plants, exporters & wholesalers
| Unit / brand | Location | Activity | Key products | Market / export |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafsanjan Pistachio Producers Cooperative (RPPC)Brand: RPPC | Taleghani Blvd., Rafsanjan | Sorting, hygienic packing, export, accredited lab | Jumbo natural split, Akbari, round; kernels & slivers | Premium markets |
| Falat Pistachio RafsanjanBrand: Falat | Central industrial zone | Orchards, mechanized hulling, sorting, export | Jumbo 18–26 count; mechanically opened | Export active |
| Kimiyay Sabz RafsanjanBrand: Kimiyay Sabz | Imam Reza Sq., Rafsanjan | Production, advanced sorting, multi-continent export | Jumbo, Akbari, dates & figs | Export active |
| Dastchin International FarmBrand: Dastchin | Orchards & Rafsanjan offices | 1,000+ ha orchards, sorting, export | Hand-picked jumbo, organic grades | Premium markets |
| Dorsa Kavir RafsanjanBrand: Dokara | Industrial zone | Processing, sorting, modern packing | Jumbo grade A, round, Akbari | Export active |
| Nahal Pistachio Agriculture Co.Brand: Lora / Arya Pistachio | Industrial Zone 2 | Sorting, packing, retail export | Packed jumbo, kernels & slivers | Export active |
| Dorchin PistachioBrand: Dorchin | Rafsanjan & Tehran | Sorting, processing, repeat exporter | Export jumbo, natural kernels | Export active |
| Hassini Nouh TradingBrand: — | Pistachio traders market | Orchards, hulling, EU & China export | Organic hand-picked jumbo | Premium markets |
| Abdollahi Pistachio TradingBrand: — | Central dried-fruit row | Orchards, wholesale, Russia & Iraq export | Large jumbo & round grades | Export active |
| Aryapart Rafsanjan SepehrBrand: Aria Pistachio | Azadi Blvd. | Flavoring, roasting, e-commerce | Raw, salted, saffron jumbo | Export active |
| Pasargad Pistachio TradingBrand: — | Industrial zone | Sorting, film & vacuum packs | Jumbo 22–24 consumer packs | Domestic bulk |
| Taze Pistachio RafsanjanBrand: — | Jomhouri Blvd. | Model exporter, transit lots | Natural split & closed shell | Export active |
| Nooghestan Pistachio TradingBrand: Nooghestan | Nogh district | Nogh aggregation, sorting, bulk export | Authentic Nogh plain jumbo | Premium markets |
| Rashin Kavir Food IndustriesBrand: Ajax | Industrial zone | Optical sort, hygienic roasting | Factory-packed jumbo | Export active |
| Ajil Sabz Agro-Industry GroupBrand: Ajil Sabz | Esmailabad, Nogh | Hulling, roasting, pistachio butter | Raw & flavored jumbo, slivers | Export active |
| Ghiyasi Pistachio TradingBrand: — | Central pistachio market | Wholesale, ounce grading | Split jumbo 22–28 count | Domestic bulk |
Hulling terminals & equipment
| Unit / brand | Location | Activity | Key products | Market / export |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amiri Pistachio Hulling TerminalBrand: — | Aliabad road | Hullers, wash, dryers | Jumbo & Ohadi from central orchards | Hulling service |
| Malashafiei Hulling TerminalBrand: — | Kashkuiyeh district | Flotation, dehumidifying | Jumbo & Ahmad Aghaei Kashkuiyeh | Hulling service |
| Mehdiabad Nogh Processing TerminalBrand: — | Mehdiabad village | Fresh hulling, primary sort, drying | Nogh plain jumbo | Hulling service |
| Behsazan Sanji EngineeringBrand: Sanji | Industrial zone | Hulling & sorting line design | Jumbo & Akbari equipment | Domestic bulk |
Export markets, HS & standards
Quality-led EU buyers want 20–24 count with EFSA aflatoxin caps; China and Eurasia take 22–26 bulk and MO blends; the Gulf prefers 18–20 and roasted lines.
Clearance via Rafsanjan SEZ: certificate of origin, phytosanitary, customs exit, bill of lading and aflatoxin lab test. HS 08025100 (in-shell), 08025210 (kernels), 08025220 (slivers).
Challenges & outlook
Groundwater stress and salinity squeeze legacy orchards; scattered new plantings pair with Rafsanjan-centric processing. 3D sorting, kernel derivatives and MAP packing drive margin per kilo.
Iranco connects you with plants, exporters and wholesalers in this chain.