Iran’s ‘red gold’ output on rise; govt continues to support
exports deals

Iran’s production of the world’s most expensive spice known
as “red gold” has seen an increase of 20 percent in the current crop year, as
the government continues to support major saffron deals, including the world’s
biggest saffron trade deal signed between Iran and Qatar.

Head of Iran's Union of Sellers and Exporters of saffron
Gholamreza Miri said last week the country’s production of saffron has
increased in the current crop year, registering a 20 percent rise compared to
the same period last year.

Miri, however, noted that the exports of the expensive
product have been on a downward trend over the past year.

Speaking about the reasons behind the falling exports, the
head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) said recently the government
is going to take all the necessary measures to facilitate the implementation of
the world’s biggest saffron trade deal signed between Iran and Qatar back in
September and help farmers sell their products.

Alireza Peyman-Pak said the deal was signed in the presence
of Iran’s Ambassador in Doha Hamidreza Dehqani-Poudeh, and Qatar’s Finance
Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari on September 18.

As per the contract, 200 tons of saffron worth $300 million
will be exported to Qatar to be processed and then exported to global markets.

He said the first Iranian saffron consignment worth $15
million is ready to be shipped to the Arab neighbor under the framework of the
mentioned contract.

This contract is one of a kind and can have a positive
impact on Iran’s domestic saffron market and help export processed saffron,
creating value added for the precious Iranian spice, according to Peyman-Pak.

Kuwari had said in the signing ceremony of the contract that
Qatar is ready to cooperate with Iran in processing saffron on par with global
standards.

Iran is one of the world’s top saffron producers and over 90
percent of its production is exported to foreign destinations.