We can start a saffron production business with two visions, we can have an economic vision and try to make some money or we can have an experienced target and have an exciting time.
One of the important differences between these two views can be their scale. We can grow saffron in a pot to get some background about saffron planting or growing saffron in the ground for economic targets.
So, we have two saffron cultivation models: Saffron planting on the farm and saffron planting at the home. Saffron farms are the driving force of the saffron industry, and they are the main factor in the saffron price in the market.
The saffron production industry had some new trends these years, one of which is local saffron production. Every country and farmer likes to plant saffron, which is natural and understandable.
But can this decision be right? We will explain some of the practical terms of this new trend.
Saffron Production by Country
some of the leading saffron producing countries:
- Iran
- Indian
- Greece
- Afghanistan
- USA
- And some small and local producers
Saffron production isn’t a new global trend, and many countries someday planted saffron. But now and today, some countries such as Iran, India, Spain, and China are the leaders in this industry, and some other countries are trying to plant saffron.
Please notice that saffron producing and saffron trading are two different concepts. For example, Iran is the biggest saffron producer globally, but it may isn’t the owner of the largest saffron brands.
Spain’s saffron production is lower than 10 tons per year, and this is while Spain is the biggest saffron exporter country and the biggest saffron retailer in the world.
Do you think this equation is complicated? Spain is the prominent trader, and Iran is the big saffron producer and wholesaler.
Saffron Production in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the biggest saffron producers in the saffron industry. The long-term presence of the Americans in Afghanistan led to the import of Afghan saffron to the United States.
Of course, Afghan saffron is not enough to supply the US market, and recent political events in this country have made the situation very difficult. Afghanistan trade is slow at the moment, and frustration has risen sharply.
World’s leading saffron producer
In short, Iran. Based on the last published information, Iran is the largest saffron producing country, with more than 430 tons of saffron production per year.
If you travel to Iran and especially east of this country, you will see a lot of saffron farms that produce and process saffron. I recommend remembering the below names; these states are the heart of the world’s saffron.
- Mashhad city
- Ghean
- Greater Khorasan
- Torbat Heydariyeh city
- And more…
Saffron Production Decreased by 50%
2021 was remarkably an awful year for saffron farms, and their production decreased by 50% In the most optimistic way possible. Drought and traditional saffron planting are the main factors behind this decrease in production.
This decrease in the supply of saffron leads to an increase in the price of saffron in the market, and probably we will have a shock in the saffron market. Of course, this event is under the influence of saffrons company and big saffron brokers.
local Saffron Production
If you want to plant saffron, you can do it. It does not matter what country you are in or your climate. You can grow saffron. But there is one important question, does your saffron farm is economical?
Multiple saffron farms plant saffron and harvest some products, but can this level of saffron cultivation be competitive? We think this issue needs to be carefully considered.
If you want to plant saffron with an economic goal, you must provide the best environmental conditions such as suitable soil, water, trained human resources, and culture.
Remember government support or much money is not enough only and for the first step you should create a good culture. A good business flow needs a natural development process, and other short ways aren’t appropriate.
Saffron Production in the US
We are witnessing a clever collective movement in the US. Educational Centers, farmers, government, and markets are ready for a significant change. Undoubtedly, the United States will be one of the future players in the saffron market.
As you can see in the map above, farmers across the United States produce saffron. Soon, with the help of scientific authorities, we will see the emergence of innovations in the American saffron cultivation industry, which means a significant change in the global saffron trade.
What is the Highest Quality Saffron?
We have just one type of saffron flower and one type of saffron thread, and these threads can convert to some of the saffron types. The highest quality saffron in the world is Super Negin saffron which is the index of the Negin saffron family.
Other types of saffron are as follows:
- Super Negin
- First-class Negin
- Saffron straw
- Complete string Negin
- Saffron root
Also, many saffron process products in the market specialize in one or some of the saffron benefits. For example, there’s a saffron extract product designed for sexual enhancement, and this product is a combination of saffron ingredients and some other sexual enhancement materials.
