The impact of national policy on the competitiveness of a relevant agribusiness sector for the Iranian economy.

This study explores the impact that domestic policy has had on the competitiveness of the Iranian pistachio industry in the international market. Porter’s (1990) ‘national diamond’ was selected as the appropriate model to unveil those competitive factors that have shaped the international development of the Iranian pistachio industry. The selected framework was applied to 11 firms operating in different areas within the pistachio value
chain. Results from the study have shown that Porter’s model needs to be slightly adapted to fully explain the development of the selected industry. This research project identifies those areas where adjustment through policy needs to be made to prevent a further erosion of the competitive position of Iranian pistachio producers against their main competitors from America. This paper also elaborates policy recommendations to improve
the international competitiveness of Iranian pistachio firms against their rivals from America.