Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 29/ Trend R.Zamanov
Iran's saffron exports decreased by seven per cent in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year which started on March 21, head of Iran's Saffron Exporters Union said on Tuesday.
"Saffron prices faced a 60 per cent increase in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year," ISNA News Agency quoted Gholamreza Miri as saying.
"Fluctuation in the rates of foreign currencies can be mentioned as the main reason behind the rise in the saffron price," he added.
He also stated that although several problems are hindering saffron exports, the country's total exports may face a 30 per cent increase by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (to end March 20, 2014).
Governor of Khorasan Razavi Province Mohamadhossein Frouzanfar said on October 28 that some 44 tons of saffron worth $63 million have been exported from the north-eastern province in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year, the IRIB News Agency reported.
"The province's exports account for 82 per cent of the country's total saffron exports in terms of value, and 81 per cent in terms of weight," he said.
European countries such as Germany, Austria and Spain are the main destinations for Khorasan Razavi province's saffron exports.
Iran exported some 135 tons of saffron worth 419 million dollars in the previous calendar year which ended March 20. The country currently exports saffron to 41 countries.
The Iranian administration has developed a plan for raising the annual saffron output to 500 tons by 2021. The plan has envisaged boosting 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.