Saffron: illegal trafficking spells disaster

May 19, 2020 at 9:01 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

TEHRAN. Traders in Iran are outraged at the government’s inactivity in dealing with smugglers. They call for urgent action. Recent rains have, in addition, delayed the cultivation of the new crop.

Bulbs are highly attractive for smugglers

The start of the cultivation season has been nominally delayed from 20 May to 25 May. Traders are, however, more concerned about the smuggling of bulbs to Afghanistan. An estimated 20% of the saffron produced in Iran is smuggled out of the country by Afghan traders. For these traders it is becoming increasingly attractive to produce saffron in their own country and become more independent from Iran. To this end, large volumes of bulbs are illegally carried out of Iran in suitcases, which has a detriment effect on production. Problem is that these smugglers are only fined, which does not deter them from trafficking and market players are convinced that these activities will eventually ruin production if the state continues to fail to act.

Iran has made a big mistake

In the past, the government has made a strategic mistake in providing Afghanistan with excess bulbs as a means of prompting farmers to switch away from poppy cultivation. This has, however, given rise to a strong competitor as manpower is cheap and Afghanistan has sufficient land and water. Traders are calling on officials in Iran to implement strict protocols on planting bulbs and harvesting saffron and to actively engage in branding the spice. An additional problem is that Spain frequently purchases cheap saffron in Iran and resells the spice after processing with its own brands. Low demand and exchange rate fluctuations have pushed down prices by EUR 0.12-0.19 per kg. The coronavirus restrictions on cargo and passenger flights are deterring overseas buyers.

 

Saffron, premium quality, Iran

Type

EUR/kg

Bunch, Dasteh

432

Poushal

490

All Red Sargol

516

Negin

645

FOB Iran

 

View more information 

price chart, saffron, dried, Negin, Iran
more price charts

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Spices
Nov 22, 2024
GUJARAT. Weekly monitoring with the latest market information from India on cumin, coriander and chilli, black pepper and cardamom as well as a price list for more than 70 products.
Spices
Nov 20, 2024
LIMA/BRUSSELS. Good demand is driving up ginger prices on the world market, and Peruvian farmers are taking advantage of the opportunity. EU imports are declining slightly.
Spices
Nov 15, 2024
GUJARAT. Weekly monitoring with the latest market information from India on cumin, coriander and chilli, black pepper and cardamom as well as a price list for more than 70 products.
Spices
Nov 6, 2024
LIMA/BRASÍLIA. Peru, one of the world's most important suppliers of ginger, has suffered a significant drop in exports this year. In the Netherlands, prices are skyrocketing and Brazil is enjoying a good crop.