HERAT (SW): Some saffron farmers in Herat have said the prices of indigenous saffron have been badly affected by illegal import of low-quality Iranian saffron.
They added that each kilogram of good quality saffron was sold in Herat markets for AFN 110 thousand a year ago, however, this year the price has dropped to 50-60 thousand AFN per kg.
Hajir Akbar, also known as Babai (grandfather of) Saffron in Herat, told Salam Watandar that besides the illegal import of Iranian saffron, the lack of exports of indigenous saffron to the international markets also caused the decline in prices. According to him, some people in Herat systematically work to defame and vilify the saffron market in Herat.
Some other saffron farmers, although pleased with the increase in crop yields, were also concerned about the drop in the prices.
Azita Salim Shahi, head of women saffron farmers in Pashton Zarghon districts, said the fall in the price of saffron in the market has been spoiling the hard work of women and men saffron farmers. These saffron farmers asked the government and the Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Herat to set up a plan to market Herat’s saffron.
Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, head of the Afghan Saffron Association, also expressed concerns over the decline in saffron prices, saying that the lack of export of Herat saffron to the international markets, the supply of saffron at a low price last year, and the illegal imports of low-quality Iranian saffron have caused the drop in the saffron price this year.
However, Ghulam Jilani, director of Herat Chambers of Commerce and Industries, said the HCCI has been vigorously marketing Heart’s saffron this year, and efforts are underway to sign the deal for export of saffron to China.
According to him, only in the first 9 months of the past year, they have exported 788 kg of saffron to India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. However, some experts have criticized the lack of a proper strategy for the growth of saffron industry in the country and urged the government to take serious steps in this regard.
The production of saffron has reached more than 8 tons this year, however, the farmers have been concerned about the declining prices.
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