On August 29, 2025, Iran’s agriculture minister confirmed the country is in talks to export 50,000 tons of chicken paws (feet) to China. The potential deal could generate significant foreign exchange earnings for Iran and formalize a trade route that previously occurred indirectly.
Key details of the reported agreement:
Negotiation status: In talks as of late August 2025, with discussions ongoing between the Iranian Veterinary Organization and Chinese customs officials.
Export volume: The potential export capacity from Iran is approximately 50,000 tons of chicken paws, a product highly valued in China.
Economic motivation for Iran: Iran sees this as a way to generate substantial foreign exchange earnings and support its poultry sector. The potential for large, consistent poultry exports has long been a goal for the country.
Overcoming previous challenges: For years, Iran’s poultry industry has struggled with exports due to factors like sanctions and avian flu outbreaks. Iran’s Veterinary Organization is now working to address a critical hurdle for China: demonstrating that its flocks are free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), with documentation being submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Shift to direct trade: Previously, Iran’s chicken feet exports to China were channeled through other countries, a process officials indicated would be replaced by direct exports if the new deal is finalized.
Context for Iran-China trade
This potential deal fits within the broader economic and political context of Iran and China’s relationship:
Increased trade efforts: In early August 2025, Iran’s agriculture minister announced a goal to double bilateral agricultural trade with China to $2 billion.
Strengthening relations: The initiative aligns with a 25-year “strategic cooperation agreement” signed in 2021, though the implementation has been gradual.
Circumventing sanctions: As one of Iran’s largest trading partners, China has served as an economic lifeline for Iran, particularly since the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.
Trade diversification: For China, trade with Iran is part of its overall Middle East strategy, though its primary focus is diversifying energy sources and maintaining stability rather than relying on any one country.On August 29, 2025, Iran’s agriculture minister confirmed the country is in talks to export 50,000 tons of chicken paws (feet) to China. The potential deal could generate significant foreign exchange earnings for Iran and formalize a trade route that previously occurred indirectly.
Key details of the reported agreement:
Negotiation status: In talks as of late August 2025, with discussions ongoing between the Iranian Veterinary Organization and Chinese customs officials.
Export volume: The potential export capacity from Iran is approximately 50,000 tons of chicken paws, a product highly valued in China.
Economic motivation for Iran: Iran sees this as a way to generate substantial foreign exchange earnings and support its poultry sector. The potential for large, consistent poultry exports has long been a goal for the country.
Overcoming previous challenges: For years, Iran’s poultry industry has struggled with exports due to factors like sanctions and avian flu outbreaks. Iran’s Veterinary Organization is now working to address a critical hurdle for China: demonstrating that its flocks are free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), with documentation being submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Shift to direct trade: Previously, Iran’s chicken feet exports to China were channeled through other countries, a process officials indicated would be replaced by direct exports if the new deal is finalized.
Context for Iran-China trade
This potential deal fits within the broader economic and political context of Iran and China’s relationship:
Increased trade efforts: In early August 2025, Iran’s agriculture minister announced a goal to double bilateral agricultural trade with China to $2 billion.
Strengthening relations: The initiative aligns with a 25-year “strategic cooperation agreement” signed in 2021, though the implementation has been gradual.
Circumventing sanctions: As one of Iran’s largest trading partners, China has served as an economic lifeline for Iran, particularly since the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.
Trade diversification: For China, trade with Iran is part of its overall Middle East strategy, though its primary focus is diversifying energy sources and maintaining stability rather than relying on any one country.
