Iran Increases Saffron Exports in New Packaging

Head of the Study, Monitoring and Market Development Office of the Central Organization of Rural Cooperatives of Iran Rouhollah Latifi said that Iran exported 221 tons of saffron worth $207,786,281 to 55 countries last year of 1402 in the Iranian calendar (March 21, 2023-24).

However, Latifi said that the declared exports value of $207,786,281 to international markets last year witnessed a 15.7% decrease as compared to the year before, namely 1401 (March 21, 2022-23).

“In 1402, the export of saffron in packages of less than 30 grams witnessed a good growth and accounted for 22% of the total exported saffron. In 1401, this amount was about 15.5% of the total weight of the exports of the product,” the official added.

“31.4 tons of saffron exported in 1402 were in packages of less than 10 grams, and this product witnessed a 67.2% increase compared to the year before and 42 countries were its destination. Also, 131 kg of saffron powder was exported in packages less than 10 grams in the previous year, recording 56% increase compared to the year before and 11 countries were its direct buyers,” added Latifi.

“16.4 tons of saffron were exported to 29 countries in 10-30 grams packages, showing 12.5% more than the year 1401. Meanwhile, 463 kilograms of processed saffron powder products in 10-30 grams packages were exported to 11 countries in 1402, indicating 14.9% decrease compared to the year before,” he continued.

“173 tons of saffron exported in 1402 were saffron packages of more than 30 grams,” he added.

The UAE is the first destination with the purchase of 67,120 kg of saffron, followed by China with the purchase of 49,200 kg, Spain with 43,820 kg, and Afghanistan with 21,716 kg and a growth of 198%, Qatar with 5,774 kg, Italy with 5,604 kg, Kuwait with 3,301 kg, Oman with 2,993 kg, Bahrain with 2,683 kg, and France with 2,433 kg, Latifi said.

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