| 24 Jul 2005 |
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Saffron Industry Suffering From Low-Quality Export
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23 July 2005
Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi - Clandestine packaging and low-quality saffron exports in the form of luggage trade have been detrimental to the international status of Persian saffron, said a top industry official here on Saturday.
Ali Shariati-Moqaddam, who heads the Khorasan Saffron Exporters Association, told ISNA that the heavy dependence of saffron business on Spain and United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as the emergence of new regional rivals such as Afghanistan and China have added to the challenges facing the lucrative industry in Iran.
He further noted that the major regional markets for Iranian saffron, including India and Pakistan, import low-quality saffron because of the high tariffs. "Afghanistan will soon begin exporting saffron to regional countries at the lowest costs," he said, adding that the Iranian saffron industry is now at its most sensitive juncture. The official added that the saffron industry has created jobs for half a million people in the northeastern Khorasan region, stressing the need to seize the opportunities to keep the industry alive. He called for the international sales of Persian saffron under a unified trademark as well as greater cooperation between Saffron Exporters Association and relevant state organizations.
Spain processes and re-exports some 40-50 percent of Iran's total saffron production. The European country produces only 1-2 tons of saffron per annum, while Iran's saffron output stands at 120-140 tons a year. Experts have repeatedly warned that Iran is losing its high status in the world saffron market. Saffron bulbs have been smuggled to Afghanistan, where the spice is also produced, making the situation even more difficult for Iran.
Some 172 tons of saffron worth $94.9 million was exported during March 2004-2005. Saffron exports in the year to March 2005 showed a 42.6-percent increase in value and 24 percent rise in volume against figures for the corresponding period the previous year. United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the largest customer with a total purchase of 78.8 tons of saffron worth $41.5 million. Spain was the second largest with 56.4 tons worth $31 million.
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