Azerbaijan, Baku, August 14 / Trend N. Umid
Chinese saffron which produced in greenhouses and fake saffron which produced mainly in UAE and India are treating Iran's strategic saffron export, board member of Iran's National council of saffron Ali Hosseini said, ISNA news agency reported.
For the being time, Iran is producing some 95 percent of world's saffron, he said.
"During greenhouse production method, saffron's productivity increased but its quality and price decreased, he said, adding that, extension of this kind of cultivation can be a threat for Iran's saffron exports.
Iran's saffron production is expected to stand at over 280 tons in the current solar year (started on March 21), which will mark an increase by 20 percent compared to last solar year, Hosseini added.
It should be recalled that, Iran has exported some $41.1 million worth of saffron during first four months of the current solar year, which indicates a 56.32 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, according to the statistics of the Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).
The Iranian administration has developed a plan for raising the annual saffron output to 500 tons by 2021. The plan has envisaged boosting the saffron output to 500 tons in 2021 and boosting exports to over $1 billion.
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.
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