Saffron Production to Increase

Iran’s saffron production is expected to increase by 30 percent in the current year (started March 2) compared to the figure for the corresponding period of the preceding year, said the head of Iran’s National Saffron Council.

Gholamhossein Shafei said China, India and Afghanistan are the new rivals of Iran in the field of saffron production, Mehr News Agency reported.

He referred to saffron as a strategic commodity which fetches a significant amount of revenues for the country, noting more attention should be paid to prevent Iran’s rivals from expanding their saffron market.

“A number of countries including Spain are trying the substitute Iran in the global saffron market.” He said the harvest rate from saffron farm is 3.5 kilogram per hectare, adding preparing suitable infrastructures will increase the figure significantly.

Shafei also said some 180 tons of saffron were produced in the past year and the figure is expected to hit 240 tons in the current year.

According to recent statistics released by Iran Customs Administration, saffron exports reached $107 million during March 20-July 21. Packages, weighing 10-30 grams and worth $94.3 million, make up the highest percentage of saffron exports. The entire weight of exported saffron reached 36 tons during the period.

UAE, Spain, China, and Saudi Arabia were top destinations of Iranian saffron, followed by Italy, Sweden, France, Hong Kong, and India.

Iran accounts for 95 percent of global saffron output. The area under saffron cultivation has increased to 75,000 hectares during the current year (started March 20).Tehran, Tashkent Enhance Railroad Cooperation