A total of 12.31 tons of saffron worth $13.36 million were exported from Iran to 29 countries during the first month of the current fiscal year (March 21-April 20), registering a 54% and 41% year-on-year rise in weight and value respectively.
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, the shipments came in different packages, including under 10 grams, 10-30 grams and more than 30 grams, as well as in the form of saffron powder.
The UAE was the main export destination in terms of weight, as the country imported 3.91 tons of saffron worth $4.54 million from Iran during the period, IRIB News reported.
It was followed by China with 3.76 tons worth $4.65 million and Spain with 2.34 tons worth $2.56 million.
Australia, South Africa, Afghanistan, Germany, Britain, Italy, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Thailand, Taiwan, Romania, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Iraq, Oman, France, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Canada, Kuwait, Mauritius, New Zealand, the Netherlands and India were other export destinations.
A total of $244.22 million worth of saffron were exported from Iran during the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2023), according to the Agriculture Ministry.
Iran produces over 90% of all saffron harvested in the world, 80% of which are exported. However, the share of Iran in the global trade of saffron is disproportionately low, as many customers of the Iranian spice buy it in bulk and reexport after packaging it to third countries.