Baku, Azerbaijan, July 1
By Matanat Nasibova - Trend:
The Azerbaijani company “Absheron Saffron” plans to increase the production of canned products using saffron, Deputy Director of the company Rafael Karimov told Trend.
He said that the company’s products are sold mainly in the domestic market, and only a small part of it is intended for export.
"Last year, the production of saffron amounted to 10 kilograms, and this year we plan to increase this figure if possible,” he noted. “Saffron can be grown in several regions of the country; as a rule, it gives a small yield. The annual harvest of saffron is collected in November, and Absheron saffron is considered the best in quality.”
He added that last year’s harvest was collected from 7.5 hectares of land.
The deputy director noted that saffron is one of the most expensive spices.
“For example, in Azerbaijan, the price of one gram of saffron is 25 manats, and in neighboring Iran, the price of one gram of saffron varies within $1-$8,” he said. “At the same time, the production of saffron is considered profitable, if the annual volumes are 50 kilograms. Customers, traditionally they are foreign pharmaceutical companies, always buy saffron.”
The deputy director said that the company produces different varieties of confiture made of saffron petals, as well as saffron jam combined with figs and quince, which are considered premium products.
The company’s plant is located in the Zira settlement, and has 20 hectares of land for saffron sowing.