Reaction as WPO creates Iran Packaging Institute after economic sanctions are lifted
The news comes after UN inspectors said Tehran had dismantled significant elements of its nuclear programme, which means companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere are free to invest in and trade with Iran.
10th largest dairy market globally
According to Lianne van den Bos, analyst, Euromonitor, the removal of US and (EU) sanctions on Iran would ‘open up the tenth largest growing dairy market globally.’
She said Western dairies impacted by the Russian embargo on Western food imports, such as Arla Foods, Valio and FrieslandCampina, welcome the prospect of access to the Iranian market.
Kelvin Wickham, MD, global ingredients, Fonterra, said: “Iran is a valuable trading partner and a key butter market for Fonterra. The removal of the UN sanctions, and our Government’s unwinding of restrictions, will only improve the outlook for us in Iran.
“Our customers in Iran are growing, and we’re seeing them make significant investments in infrastructure and capacity to meet demand.”
David Luttenberger, global packaging director, Mintel, told DairyReporter, the WPO is a world-class organization and has really stepped up its activities in regions such as sub-Sahara Africa and other developing or re-developing economies.
“The introduction of packaging technologies to eliminate food waste and deliver medicines will be vital in these areas as the global population exceeds 8 billion people by 2020 and 9 billion by 2050."
Upgraded packaging industry
Afshin Fakhr, president, IRIP, said networking in packaging, nationally and internationally, is vital to achieving its long term goals and any promotion of exports would not be possible without an upgraded packaging industry.
“In recent years, packaging has never been a priority of major domestic industries, therefore it became isolated and unable to establish international connections,” he said.
One of the first tasks of IRIP was to sign an agreement with a Teheran-based bank to support a IRIP college with a sponsored packaging education workshop in Teheran next August.
Keith Pearson, general secretary, WPO, said packaging education is a priority for the Iranian packaging industry as the country prepares for the lifting of sanctions and the resultant export opportunities.
Pierre Pienaar, VP education, WPO, added the workshops will give participants greater knowledge to tackle the challenges facing the packaging industry in the current environment and to prepare them for competitive advantages in the greater Economic Community market.
Andrew Manly, communications director, AIPIA, (Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association) welcomes the news Iran has established a forum for industry professionals inside the country and a communications hub for international dialogue.
“The Middle East is showing increasing interest in active and intelligent packaging technologies, particularly in the areas of brand security and supply chain management,” he said.
“Iran is one of the most developed economies in the region and we look forward to developing better links with its packaging sector.”
SIG Combibloc
DR reported in April investments in Iran should start to prove easier in the future, as SIG Combibloc partnered with Zarin Jam Marina to launch 21 varieties of its SunStar beverage in combidome cartons, across the Middle East/Africa (MEA) region.
Bamdad Ghafari, area sales manager Iran, SIG Combibloc, said Iran is a market with good foundations and in the beverage industry, willingness to invest is growing.
Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board said it is hopeful the lifting of sanctions will offer new trading opportunities in Iran for Irish food exporters to increase their share of a market that returned €4m ($4.5m) in 2015.
“The lifting of international sanctions on Iran opens the way for Irish food exporters to explore trading opportunities in the second largest economy in the Middle Eas,” added Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia.
“As the economy grows and demand for premium food products outstrips domestic supply, Iran is looking to countries like Ireland to supply high quality, safe and sustainably produced food."
