Rise in Iran's Saffron Exports

Iran exported more than 66 tons of saffron worth $96.7 million during the seven months to October 21, registering a 15% and 14% increase in weight and value respectively compared with last year’s corresponding figure, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture said.

“This year’s production is estimated to increase by 10 tons from last year to reach 360 tons,” ILNA also quoted Mohammad Kiayi as saying.  More than 350 tons of saffron were produced in Iran in the last fiscal year (March 2015-16), registering a 25% increase year-on-year. Close to 95% of Iran’s saffron are cultivated in the two provinces of South Khorasan and Khorasan Razavi in northeastern Iran. Iran is the world’s biggest saffron producer and accounts for more than 93% of the global production.