The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports that 67 tons of saffron, valued at $49 million, were exported last year.

Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the ministry, said that the saffron was exported to India, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Indonesia, Turkey, and the UK.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce added: “In the fiscal year 1402, approximately 67 tons of saffron worth $49 million were exported, primarily to India, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Indonesia, Turkey, and the UK.”

Saffron, a major export commodity for Afghanistan, is predominantly cultivated in the provinces of Herat, Balkh, Kandahar, Sar-e Pol, Daikundi, and Uruzgan. Notably, saffron from Herat is renowned for its superior quality and robust presence in the global market.

The National Saffron Workers Union (NSWU) stated that the cost of transporting saffron abroad is high and that attention must be paid to reducing prices.

Nasir Ahmad Nabil, a member of NSWU, said: “The few problems we have are related to transportation; previously, we used cargo services through tanneries, which provided more convenience in transportation. We have shared these issues and hope they will be addressed.”

Arbab Abdul Razaq Pashtun Zarghuni, the foreign relations officer of the NSWU, also said: “Cooperation with farmers and companies should be enhanced, and tariffs in the sector should be reduced. If tariffs are not lowered, we will be forced to increase our fees, which could result in losing customers to our competitors. Serious attention is needed in this area to retain our customers against competition.”

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock reports that in the solar year 1402, over 23,000 metric tons of saffron were harvested across 26 provinces of the country.

“In 26 provinces, saffron was cultivated on 8,304 Jeribs (approx. 4,209 acres) of agricultural land, yielding approximately 23,249 metric tons of saffron,” said Musbahuddin Mustaeen, a spokesman for the ministry.

The Chamber of Commerce and Investment also emphasizes support for saffron products and the creation of exhibitions to further market them.

Maiwand Hotak, the head of the executive board of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “A better understanding should be signed to facilitate the saffron process in Afghanistan and find the best markets in other countries as well.”

Previously, the National Saffron Workers Union (NSWU) had reported that in the solar year 1402, saffron harvests in Herat had doubled, with an expected harvest of nearly 40 tons of saffron that year.