Iran exports saffron to 53 countries in 8 months

A total of 192 tons of saffron worth $117 million were exported from Iran to 53 countries during the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 20-Nov. 20), according to the spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.

“Some 80% and 84% of the weight and value of the total exports went to five countries. These were Hong Kong with 53.15 tons worth $33.83 million, Spain with 33.18 tons worth $21.58 million, the UAE with 31.41 tons worth $18.7 million, Afghanistan with 17.99 tons worth $11.27 million, and China with 18.59 tons worth $10.78 million,” Rouhollah Latifi was also quoted as saying by IRNA.

The official noted that Oman with $5.6 million, Kuwait with $2.7 million, Qatar with $1.9 million, Macao with $1.4 million and Taiwan with $1.2 million were Iran’s other main export destinations over the eight-month period.

Exports were also made to France, Italy, Australia, Bahrain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Canada, Germany, India, Switzerland, Malaysia, Turkey, Iraq, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, Austria, Poland, Norway, Kenya, Lebanon, the US, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Philippines.

According to Latifi, 115,000 hectares out of the 122,000 hectares under saffron cultivation in the world are located in Iran.

“We account for 94% of the global saffron output. Last [Iranian] year [March 2019-20], some 500 tons of the crop were harvested, 80% of which were exported.”

The official also noted that this year's saffron exports have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Iran’s share of the $8.2 billion business has been less than $300 million every year.