Iran exported saffron worth $34 million in the first two months of the current fiscal year (March 20-May 20, 2016), registering a 4% decline compared to last year’s corresponding period, according to Iran’s National Saffron Council. Exports during the first month (March 20-April 19), however stood at $15 million, which indicates a 10% rise, Mehr News Agency reported. More than 350 tons of saffron were produced in the last Iranian year (March 2015-16), indicating a 25% increase compared with the previous year, of which about 130 tons were exported. Area under saffron cultivation increased from 88,000 to 95,000 hectares. Iran is the world’s biggest saffron producer and accounts for more than 93% of the global production.
