More than 116 metric tons of saffron worth $166.4 million has been exported in the first ten months of the current year (March 21- January 20); however, the benefit gained by international middlemen is three times more than what is earned by domestic traders, Ali Hosseini, a member of national saffron council told ISNA, calling on the government to enter into negotiations with international dealers. Saffron exports show a 15.38 percent rise in volume and 14.4 percent increase in value over the period, Hosseini added.
