Saffron Harvest Begins in Iran

Saffron harvest began in Iran mid-October and will peak between late October and early November 5, a member of Iran’s National Saffron Council, Ali Hosseini, said.

Iran exported over 62 tons of saffron to 32 countries during the first half of the current Iranian year (started March 20), registering a 10.5% rise compared with the corresponding period of last year.

The export destinations included China, Japan, Germany, Spain, Australia, the UK, the US, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Iraq, Oman, Philippines, Canada, South Korea, Norway, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Italy, Denmark, France, Switzerland and New Zealand.

Last year (March 2015-16), more than 350 tons were produced domestically, indicating a 25% rise year-on-year, of which about 130 tons were exported.

Iran is the world’s biggest saffron producer and accounts for more than 93% of the global production.