Spoiled watermelon shipments returned to Iran from Bashmakh crossing

PENJWEN — Over of 27 tons of watermelon has been returned to Iran from the Bashmakh international border crossing in Penjwen, Sulaymaniyah, due to being unfit for consumption.

Bahez Abdulatif, official for the Bashmakh Quarantine Office, told 964media that three shipments of watermelon were sent back to Iran after physical inspections revealed they were unsuitable for consumption.

“Physical inspection of the shipments showed significant decay and bacterial contamination, making them unsafe for eating,” Abdulatif said.

The total weight of the rejected shipments was 27 tons and 110 kilograms, divided among three batches: 9,520 kilograms, 9,420 kilograms, and 8,170 kilograms.

Abdulatif explained, “Annually, off-seasonal produce undergoes regular inspections because chemical agents used during cultivation can sometimes result in the produce being unfit for consumption.”

Regarding agricultural produce inspections, Abdulatif noted that some shipments are tested with rapid checks, but if further confirmation is needed, they are referred to a specialized lab at the border crossing for more detailed analysis.

Panjwen district, known for its agricultural activities, exports significant amounts of its produce annually, with watermelon being a prominent product from the area.