Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis or justification: Putin
Shahid Beheshti University Public Relations: The Israeli aggression targeted a building belonging to Shahid Beheshti University with the aim of sabotaging Iran's cultural and scientific infrastructure
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Fordow nuclear facility was bombed once again, 24 hours after the US aggression.
Fars News Agency, citing informed sources: The Iranian Armed Forces used the Kheibar-Shekan, Emad, Ghadr, and Fattah missiles in their attacks on the Israeli entity today
Sirens sound from the occupied Golan Heights to Akka and Nahariya
Sirens sound again in the occupied Golan Heights and al-Jalil
Israeli media: Power outages reported in several settlements following a missile attack targeting an infrastructure facility
Israeli media: Strategic location in the south likely hit
Israeli media outlet: Reports of missiles falling in at least 7 areas, including Askalan, Safad, and Isdud
Israeli media: Sirens sounding non-stop across 'Israel' with explosions heard throughout the area

Iran’s ‘desert gold’ supplies running dry: FT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 27 Dec 2023 09:46
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The most expensive spice in the world could be running low on supply, triggering a spike in prices.

  • x
  • An Iranian farm worker harvests saffron flowers just outside the city of Torbat Heydariyeh, southeastern Iran on October 31, 2016. (AP)
    An Iranian farm worker harvests saffron flowers just outside the city of Torbat Heydariyeh, southeastern Iran on October 31, 2016. (AP)

The global market is currently experiencing a saffron shortage, primarily attributed to a poor harvest in Iran, the world's largest supplier of this highly prized spice, as reported by the Financial Times on Tuesday.

Saffron, renowned for its exceptional aroma, distinctive flavor, and vibrant color, stands as the most expensive spice globally.

The report indicates that the saffron yield in Iran for the current year is anticipated to be less than half of the 2022 harvest. This is particularly significant, as Iran supplies over 90% of the world's saffron, contributing to concerns about the availability and pricing of this sought-after spice in international markets.

“Total production is expected to fall to about 170 metric tons from nearly 400 tons [last year],” Ali Shariati-Moghaddam, chief executive of Novin Saffron, a leading Iranian producer and exporter, told the news outlet.

Related News

Iranian saffron exports reach 21 metric tons, valued at over $207Mln

Why is there a shortage of saffron? 

Producers and traders attribute the shortage in saffron to shifting weather patterns and water shortages.

Mojtaba Payam-Asgari, the head of the Torbat-e Jam saffron exchange, pointed out that extremely low temperatures during the past winter, coupled with an exceptionally dry and hot spring and summer, had a severe impact on the crop. The predicament was exacerbated by the complete drying up of thousands of wells meant for irrigation.

Experts caution that the situation might deteriorate further due to climate change, which is disrupting traditional weather patterns. The combination of these factors poses a significant challenge to saffron production and underscores the vulnerability of this valuable spice to environmental fluctuations.

“Iran is more vulnerable than the global average, especially in arid and semi-arid areas [where saffron is grown]… Rainfall is declining, and evaporation and temperatures are soaring,” Mohammad Darvish, an Iranian environmentalist, told the news outlet.

Can we expect a hike in prices? 

Last year, the price of saffron had already doubled, jumping to $1,400 per kilogram on Iran's domestic market and to $1,800 overseas, according to suppliers. 

“Many Chinese dealers were shocked by the price surge and left. They’ll have to pay even higher prices if they come back because there’s very little crop and the warehouses are empty,” Payam-Asgari of the Torbat-e Jam exchange warned.

  • Saffron
  • Iran

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, speaks with then-Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 (AP)
Politics

Iran holds the initiative after nuclear strikes, Shamkhani says

Blood stains a religious painting inside Mar Elias Church, where a suicide bomber detonated himself in al-Dwela, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after returning from a massive strike on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday (AP)
Politics

Israeli media: US-Israeli strike on Iran failed to end war

China UN Ambassador Fu Cong addresses the United Nations Security Council, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Politics

China slam US strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS