Production and export potential of saffron in Iran

Iran is the largest producer of saffron in the world with a production of about 180 metric tonnes and 95 present share in the world's saffron production. It had 62,000 hectares under saffron under cultivation in 2009. Most of the saffron cultivation occurs in the Khorasan Provinces (both Razavi and the South). There is a good scope for production and export of this commodity in Iran. However, because of various problems such as productivity and lack of scientific marketing, the saffron exports have not had much success until now. This paper attempts a SWOT analysis for saffron enterprise in Iran. It is based on the secondary data collected from Iranian Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, FAO, etc. This study was undertaken to assess the potential saffron production and export in Iran.