BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 18
By Elnur Baghishov - Trend
Iran's saffron export has decreased, but the country continues to export saffron, said member of Iran's National Saffron Council Ali Hosseini, Trend reports citing Mizan news agency.
According to Hosseini, 10-30 tons of saffron can be exported per month.
Hosseini added that customers' demand influences the increase or decrease in the volume of the products exported from Iran.
He said that the sale of Iranian saffron through smuggling in world markets has led to the decline of Iran's official exports.
“Official price of one kilogram of saffron is $1,100-$1,200, while smugglers sell one kilo of saffron for about $600-$700," he said adding that the smugglers hit the Iranian saffron market by selling products of poor quality.
According to the rules, exporters in Iran must sell a portion of the revenues from their exports to Iranian banks at the NIMA exchange rate, he reminded.
Hosseini added that Iran produces about 400 tons of saffron a year. Part of it is consumed domestically, while the bulk of product is exported.