The first thing that pops in mind when we speak of Pasta is “Italy”. The land of Pasta and spaghetti, as we think. But it’s good to know that this second favorite food in the world is actually a creation of the Chinese – according to American national institute of Pasta- which goes back to 3000 years ago.

Pasta in Iran

The first time that Pasta was produced in Iran, goes back to 1934 when Pasta was made in a very small plant of “Lubel” with simple Machinery only to serve the foreign Diplomats and Embassy members living in Iran. The Production of about 20 to 30 Kilograms a day was back then more than enough and it simply found its way to Iranian dishes and is now very trendy.

Pasta is basically made of whole-wheat dough and Egg but there are also some new types of Pasta in Europe that are baked of corn Wheat which aren’t common in Iran.

Pasta Producers in Iran

“According to Iranian consumer, The Quality and the Price of Iranian Pasta is so good that can compete with foreign brands, this is the main reason of Iranian Pasta Production as we have loyal consumers” Head of Pasta producers office says.

As Iranian have liked Pasta and use it  as one of their favorite meals, there have been many companies producing Pasta and Spaghetti  locally.Almost 96% of Iranian people have Pasta in their diet. By far there are about 50 Brands that produce Pasta in Iran, from which 5 Brands  have the biggest share in Iran pasta market. Here is a list of those 5 companies:

 

Company name	Brand name	Established since
Tak Industrial Group	Tak Macaron	1994
Zar industrial group	Zar Macaron	1993
Mana	Mana	1976
Khoshnam food Industry	Mak	2010
Manta	Samira	1977

 

These Companies are producing almost 70% of Pasta distributed in Iran Pasta Market with a high quality of Ingredients, specially the Semolina Wheat which is the main ingredient of Pasta & Spaghetti.

Pasta is produced in as different as 350 shapes and sizes around the world. But there are some shapes more common in Iran than the others such as:

 

• Fussilli
• Spaghetti
• Penne
• Farfalle

There are 3 typical types of flour used in Iranian made pasta:

• Semolina (durum)flour: which is the most common type of Pasta.
• Cake bake flour: it is not very common, but there are some Pasta made this way. In Iran it’s not legal for companies to produce this type of pasta due to lack of Nutrition in it.
• Maize flour: It’s not produced in Iran due to Iranians ‘taste.

The Iranian market leader, “Zar Macaran” has been also producing Pasta with barley flour, probiotic Pasta and has won “Sibe Salamat” prize-a national prize in the field of food industry-for them.

Consumption

The consumption of Pasta as a healthy food with short preparation time has been increased by Iranian household and is growing constantly.

44% of Iran’s population is young and change in their Eating behavior is affecting the society and the next generation.  Such a change can only be made with slight changes such as adding new dishes with minimum preparation time, like pizza or pasta

 

With yearly consumption of about 8.5 kilo per capita, Iran is ranked as the eighth country in consuming Pasta, succeeding Chile, Peru and Germany, but the nutritionist believe that it would be much healthier to reduce the rice and increase eating Pasta instead.

It is good to know that Pasta consumption in Iran has been doubled in comparison to last 20 years and is estimated to be doubled by the next decade.

 

Production in Iran

The Capacity of Pasta Production in Iran is about 700,000 tonnes per year, but due to different issues, the companies produce about 560,000  tonnes.

 

Pasta exportation

About 40 thousand tonnes of produced Pasta is exported mostly to the neighboring countries, CIF countries and some African countries. It is also one of the top 20 products that have been exported from Iran to Europe with a value of 1 million Euro. Pasta makes  0.2% share of Iran agri-exports of  to Europe.

 

Iran Market

The new generation is eager to new things, which ends up to keen costumers who want to try new products and brands. After lifting of Sanctions against Iran, the Iranian Market is much friendly toward new products in order to keep up with world.

The consumption of pasta in Iran is correlated to the rise in price of rice and wheat which leads to rise in bread rice.

99% of consumed pasta and spaghetti in Iran is produced within the Iranian borders and the products are compatible with foreign products. And the prices are much cheaper than the foreign brands.