Agriculture in Iran exports include fresh and dried fruits, nuts, animal hides, processed foods, caviar and spices. Pistachio, raisins, dates and saffron are the first four export products, from the viewpoint of value. Close to 8 million tons of agricultural products are exported annually (2008). But according to the Central Bank of Iran, only 3.2 million tons of "agricultural products" were exported in 2008 with a total value of $3.2 billion "which showed a 6.1 percent increase over the previous year". Agricultural and food stuff exports in years 2012-13 ending 21 March stood at $5.2 billion. During years 2013-14 ending 21 March agricultural
Pistachio Greek "pistakion", from Persian "pesteh". Archaeology shows that pistachio seeds were a common food as early as 6750 BC. Pliny the Elder writes in his "Natural History" that "pistacia", "well known among us", was one of the trees unique to Syria, and that the seed was introduced into Italy by the Roman Proconsul in Syria, Lucius Vitellius the Elder (in office in 35 AD) and into Hispania at the same time by Flaccus Pompeius. The early sixth-century manuscript "De observatione ciborum" ("On the observance of foods") by Anthimus implies that "pistacia" remained well known in Europe in Late Antiquity. Archaeologists