Figures obtained exclusively by IRNA from Eurostat showed that in contrast Iranian exports to the world's biggest trading bloc grew by only a modest 6 percent to Euro 3.5 bn between January and June compared with the same period in 2003.

The huge growth in EU exports was led by Iran's three largest suppliers, Germany, Italy and France, whose sales together totalled Eur 3.85, accounting for 77 percent of the rise.

Exports from Germany in the first half of 2004 rose to Euro 1.6 bn from Euro 1.2 bn in the same period last year. Sales from France grew from Euro 833 million to Euro 1.2 bn, overtaking Italy's increase of Euro 128 m to Euro 1 bn in second place.

Although the record figures for the first time are from an expanded EU of 25 members, the 10 accession countries collectively contributed only Euro 19 million in exports to Iran and just Euro four million from imports.

The increase included a rise in exports from Euro 230 million to Euro 315 million by Sweden, taking over fourth place from Britain, whose sales to Iran recorded a slight fall from Euro 311 million to 302 million.

There was also only a modest increase of Euro 14 million in Belgium's Euro 228 million exports to Iran, while sales from the Netherlands grew by Euro 52 million to Euro 220 million and from Spain by Euro 35 million to Euro 204 million.

The relatively small growth in Iranian sales to the 25-nation group was due largely to an increase from Euro 437 m to Euro 569 m in non-oil exports, while petroleum-related sales only rose by Euro 70 m to Euro 2.9 bn despite record oil prices.

Increases in total purchases were mainly by France, up Euro 197 m to Euro 640 m, and by Greece, up Euro 221 m to Euro 566 m, but these were partly offset by falls from Iran's biggest market, Italy, down from Euro 936 m to Euro 880 m and Spain, down from Euro 478 m to 415 million.

The main rise in non-oil sales was to the Netherlands up from Euro 10 m to 92 m and to Spain from Euro 76 m to 98 m, while purchases remained flat from Iran's two main non-oil markets, Germany, down Euro 1 m to Euro 146 m and Italy's Euro 104 m recording no change.