Afghanistan’s Saffron on Media

Afghan Saffron, Leading in Production, Outstanding in Quality

Foundation Stone of Afghanistan Saffron Institute Laid in Herat

One of the major economic achievements of the National Unity Government (NUG) is getting the title of the third largest saffron producers in the world. This is due to the planning, support and investment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL) in the saffron industry.

Currently there are 30 countries around the world which cultivate saffron. Iran with a production of 336 tons got the first rank, India with 22 tons the second rank, Afghanistan with 10.6 tons in the third rank, Greece with 6 tons in the fourth rank, Morocco with 2.6 tons in the fifth rank, Spain with 2.3 tons in the sixth rank, and Italy with one ton production were ranked consecutively.
 

Year	Area Ha.	Total Production Kg	Average price
1991-2004	16	60	200
2005	40	150	350
2006	83	240	450
2007	161	400	800
2008	260	900	1200
2009	306	1500	1350
2010	400	1700	1500
2011	560	1800	1300
2012	650	2700	1700
2013	730	2700	1800
2014	850	3145	1800
2015	1020	3500	1700
2016	2811	6000	1600
2017	5205	10600	-
Saffron Production in Afghanistan

 

According to BBC reports, about 30 countries around the world cultivate saffron. Last year Iran with production of 336 tons of saffron got the first rank, India with 22 tons in the second rank, and Afghanistan with 10 tons in the third rank, Greece with 7.2 tons in the fourth rank, Morocco with 2.6 tons in the fifth rank, Spain with 2.3 tons in sixth rank, Italy and China with one tons were ranked consecutively.

Saffron Production in Afghanistan

Considering the increasing use of saffron worldwide as a natural flavoring and cosmetic ingredient for food and medicine, economics experts predict that the global market for this product will also expand dramatically.

The comparison of saffron price over the past 16 years shows that the price of the product has increased. The price of saffron in 2000 with cultivated area of about 6,000 hectares and production of 196 tons was 200 USD per kilo on average.

In 2017 the cultivation increased to 120,000 hectares and production of 377 tons; the price of saffron also increased to 1600 USD per kilo.

The economic value of saffron is so high compared to other products and thus worth to be paid more attention and investment than other agricultural products.

 

Leading in production:

With the approval of the five-year national plan for sustainable development of saffron in the High Economic Council and its launch this year, the cultivation of saffron is expected to reach 4,000 hectares in the next five years, with a production of 14 tons and over the next 12 years will reach to 70-100 tons.

Currently, more than 90 percent of saffron production operations in the world are executed by hands or non-manually. Due to high wage in the European countries, the production level has dramatically dropped.

For instance, saffron production decreased from 25 tons to 2.3 tons.

Afghanistan has the advantage and superiority in saffron production for having abundant and cheap labor.

 

Unrivaled in Quality:

The Afghan Saffron has been rated as best Saffron in the World for third consecutive years by international institute based in Brussels, reports say.

The rating by International Taste and Quality Institute was given after collecting around 300 Saffron samples from around the world.