Iran’s 2015 Production Statistics for Saffron

Mitra Majdzadeh announced an approximate saffron production statistics in 2015 and said, “Last year, the production of ‘red gold’ was more than 350 tonnes, which in comparison to two years ago, it had a considerable increase.”

She notified that in 2014, 280 tonnes of saffron was produced in the country and said, “In 2014, the cultivation area of this product was 88 thousand hectares and during 2015, with the increase of up to 7 thousand hectares, it reached between 94 to 95 thousand hectares.”

Majdzadeh added, “The prominent and important thing that has happened here is the increase yield in the area unit function of most of the provinces that produce this ‘red gold’.”

This deputy minister of the Department of Greenhouse and Medicinal Plants Affairs of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad indicated that Iran has about 93 percent of the world’s cultivation area for the production of saffron, then said, “Apart from the food industry, saffron can be used in the production of medicine as well as health and cosmetic industry.”

Referring to the world’s population growth and the development in different fields, she said, “The need for this product will rise as these phenomenon take place, therefore, we should think of ways to logically add to the production.”

This official from the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad stated that the Department of Horticulture Affairs is proceeding with marketing and provision of new export markets for saffron from the Commercial Department of this ministry, she then went on to say, “In addition, we are endeavoring to make brands for this ‘red gold’so that we can export saffron with an Iranian brand.”

Majdzadeh expressed hope that in terms of the aforementioned fields, those active in saffron exports are working aligned with this ministry.

Regarding this year’s prediction of saffron production, this deputy minister of the Department of Greenhouse and Medicinal Plants Affairs of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad indicated, “Considering the reception of those provinces with potentials for production of saffron, to cultivate this product and to optimize cultivation operations, it is predicted that this year too, we will have increase in the area unit function, hence the higher probability in the boosting of production.”

Majdzadeh went on to say, “Of course, everything depends on the climatic conditions, therefore, it cannot be precisely predicted.” According to her, the harvest of ‘red gold’ in the country starts from October and November.