Azerbaijan, Baku, May.27/ Trend, R. Zamanov
Iran exported some 135 tons of saffron worth $419 million in the previous calendar year, which ended March 20, the Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, Kioumars Fathollah Kermanshahi said on Monday.
The figures show 14 and 11.5 per cent increase in terms of value and weight, respectively in comparison to its preceding year, the IRNA News Agency quoted him as saying.
Iran currently exports saffron to 41 countries.
Iran's saffron exports to China faced over 500 per cent increase in the previous calendar year compared to its preceding year, Fathollah Kermanshahi explained.
Abolghasem Khosravi, a member of Iran's parliament (Majlis), said in April that eastern province of Khorasan Razavi was Iran's largest saffron producer in the previous Iranian calendar year.
Over 100 tons of saffron was produced in the province during the mentioned period, the IRNA News agency quoted Abolghasem Khosravi as saying.
Domestic consumption of saffron approximately stands at 40 tons.
The Iranian administration has developed a plan for raising the annual saffron output to 500 tons by 2021. The plan has envisaged boosting the exports to over $1 billion by 2021.
Due to its diverse climate and fertile soil, Iran's agriculture products are rated among the best in the world with its saffron standing second to none.
Around 300 tons of saffron, which is a spice derived from the flower of the saffron crocus are produced worldwide each year, with Iran, Spain, India, Greece, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Italy accounting for the largest shares, Press TV reported.