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Mihan is one of Iran's largest food companies, producing ice cream, dairy products, juices and canned goods since 1975.

Last updated September 29, 2026

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Overview

Mihan (Persian: میهن) is a major Iranian food and beverage company headquartered in Tehran. Founded in 1975 (1354 in the Iranian calendar) by Ayub Paydari, it began as a small family business selling ice cream from a handcart in the streets of Tehran. Over more than five decades, Mihan has grown into one of Iran's largest food industry groups, with a portfolio spanning ice cream, dairy products (cheese, butter, milk, cream, yogurt, doogh), fruit juices, beverages and canned goods. The company operates three major production complexes: the Mihan ice cream factory (3.6 hectares), the Mihan Dairy City factory (37 hectares), and the Panda Mihan ice cream and juice factory (18 hectares). It also owns the Sabz Ghazal Mihan agro-industrial complex, which includes a dairy farm with 40,000 milk cows on a 40-hectare site and a 250-hectare farm for feed cultivation in Markazi Province. Mihan employs over 11,000 people and its covered production space exceeds 350,000 square meters. Its distribution network includes more than 60 distribution centers, reaching over 200,000 stores across Iran. The company holds a significant market share in ice cream (around 65%) and sterilized milk (around 50%). Mihan exports to countries including Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Pakistan, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Malaysia and Afghanistan. The company has received numerous awards, including being named one of Iran's top 100 brands in 2013. In 2020, a fire broke out at part of the Mihan Dairy City complex in Islamshahr, but no damage was reported. In 2022, during the Mahsa Amini protests, Mihan faced a boycott campaign after videos circulated showing its vans near protests and prisons; the company denied the allegations. Mihan remains a leading name in Iran's food industry, known for its wide range of trusted products.

History

Mihan was founded in 1975 (1354 in the Iranian calendar) by Ayub Paydari, who started his business as a teenager selling ice cream from a handcart in the streets of Tehran. The company was initially a small family business, but over the decades it grew into one of Iran's largest food industry groups. In its early years, Mihan focused on ice cream production, gradually expanding into dairy products, juices, and other food categories. The company established large-scale production facilities, including the Mihan ice cream factory (3.6 hectares), the Mihan Dairy City factory (37 hectares), and the Panda Mihan ice cream and juice factory (18 hectares). It also created the Sabz Ghazal Mihan agro-industrial complex, which includes a dairy farm with 40,000 milk cows and a 250-hectare farm for feed cultivation in Markazi Province. This vertical integration from farm to table became a hallmark of Mihan's operations. By the 2010s, Mihan had become a dominant player in the Iranian market, with a distribution network of over 60 centers reaching more than 200,000 stores nationwide. It captured significant market shares: approximately 65% in ice cream and 50% in sterilized milk. The company also began exporting to countries such as Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Pakistan, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Malaysia, and Afghanistan. In 2013, Mihan was recognized as one of Iran's top 100 brands at the 10th National Festival of Iranian Industry Champions. The company has received numerous awards and honors, including being named a leading unit in the ice cream industry in 2014 and 2015, and receiving the Golden Brand award in 2015. In the early 2010s, the Paydari brothers had disagreements and separated. In 2012, Faramarz Paydari founded a company called Domino with a logo similar to Mihan's. In 2020, a fire broke out at part of the Mihan Dairy City complex in Islamshahr, but no damage was reported. In 2022, during the Mahsa Amini protests, Mihan faced a boycott campaign after videos circulated showing its vans near protests and prisons; the company denied the allegations and released a video claiming the trucks were on their regular routes. Despite these challenges, Mihan remains a leading food company in Iran, employing over 11,000 people and continuing to innovate and expand its product lines.

  • 2022

    Mihan faces boycott amid 2022 Iran protests; denies allegations.

  • 2020

    Fire at Mihan Dairy City complex in Islamshahr; no damage reported. Mihan receives Golden Customer Satisfaction plaque.

  • 2017

    Mihan receives appreciation letter for supporting production and employment; receives Amin al-Zarb medal.

  • 2016

    Mihan receives certificate and trophy for consumer rights compliance from the Industry and Mining Organization; receives trophies from the Trade Development Organization and the Industry and Mining Organization.

  • 2015

    Mihan receives trophy and title of leading unit in the ice cream industry; receives Golden Brand award.

  • 2014

    Mihan receives trophy and title of leading unit in the ice cream industry.

  • 2013

    Mihan recognized as one of Iran's top 100 brands at the 10th National Festival of Iranian Industry Champions.

  • 2012

    Faramarz Paydari founds Domino with a logo similar to Mihan's.

  • 1975

    Mihan founded by Ayub Paydari in Tehran.

Products and positioning

From farm to table, trusted by Iranian families for over half a century.

  • Ice cream

    Various types of ice cream produced by Mihan.

  • Dairy products

    Cheese, butter, milk, cream, yogurt, doogh.

  • Fruit juices and beverages

    Juices and other drinks under the Panda Mihan brand.

  • Canned goods

    Canned food products.

Sources5 sources

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