Afghanistan Exports 56 Tons of Saffron Worth $54 Million in 2025

Afghanistan exported 56 tons of saffron valued at $54 million to neighboring countries, the region and the world in 2025, according to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The value of saffron exports rose by $10 million compared to the previous year, reflecting about 10 percent growth. Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, stated that exports went to India, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey and Oman.

The Herat Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock attributed the export growth to increased cultivation areas in various provinces and the high quality of the product. Afghanistan's saffron has ranked first in international evaluations for taste, color and quality for several consecutive years.

Bashir Ahmad Bahaduri, head of the Herat Chamber of Agriculture, said nearly 90 percent of Afghanistan's saffron is produced in Herat, where 10,500 hectares are under cultivation. He noted that more than 1,000 hectares are added annually, providing significant benefits to farmers.

Qudratullah Rahmati, deputy of the Afghanistan Saffron Union, identified climate change and intense market competition as major challenges in production and cultivation last year. He highlighted high global demand for agricultural products, particularly saffron, as a key opportunity.

In the month of Jadi this year, Afghanistan's saffron won the title of the world's highest quality saffron for the tenth consecutive year from the International Taste Institute. The competition took place in Brussels, Belgium, among the four main producing countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Spain and Greece.