Iran opens largest fruit concentrate factory in East Azarbaijan Province

During a one-day visit to Tabriz, Iran’s Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy Hossein Afshin inaugurated the country’s largest fruit concentrate factory at Ilkin Holding. The facility, with a daily production capacity of 1,200 tons of fruit, aims to boost exports, create sustainable jobs, and expand the value chain in the food industry. 

Afshin spoke at the inauguration ceremony. He said East Azarbaijan has played a prominent role in science and technology, adding that the province is home to 368 knowledge-based companies and makes annual revenue of 8.5 billion USD including 1.2 billion USD from high-tech products. 

He further stressed the importance of natural resources and creative human capital, citing the recent success of Iranian students winning five gold medals at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics. 

Speaking at the ceremony, East Azarbaijan’s Governor Bahram Sarmast and CEO of the company Hassan Ghalichehbaf for their part underlined its export potential and role in preventing raw material underutilization, saying the company integrates private sector innovation with academic expertise.