An aggressive buying by Iran has pushed basmati exports from the country to a record high in 2018-19, benefitting farmers of Punjab and Haryana, which account for over 70-75% of the total volume-wise exports. The exporters feel that the record shipment will bring more area under basmati in the current fiscal in the northern region. According to Agricultural and Processed Foods Exports Development Authority (APEDA) data, the basmati exports in 2018-19 were 44.15 lakh tonnes as compared to 40.57 lakh tonnes in 2017-18. According to exporters, Iran purchased over 1.4 million tonnes during the year against its annual import market pegged at almost a metric tonne, resulting in hike in exports.    The exporters are upbeat over growth in exports and they hope to maintain the same level in the current fiscal.