Herat Saffron Named World’s Best for 10th Consecutive Year

For the tenth consecutive year, saffron from Afghanistan’s Herat province has been awarded the title of the world’s highest-quality saffron by the International Taste Institute.

The competition was held in Brussels, Belgium, among the top four saffron-producing countries in the world, Afghanistan, Iran, Spain, and Greece.

Jalil Ahmad Maleki, the head of one of Herat’s saffron companies, said: “The International Taste Institute annually requests samples from countries involved in saffron production. After testing and evaluating the samples, the institute determines the highest quality. Other countries were also in the competition, but fortunately, we secured first place.”

Seyed Masoud, head of another saffron company in Herat, added: “Our request from the Islamic Emirate is to support national traders in saffron exports and to facilitate fast, secure, and affordable transport for them.”

Herat saffron has many customers in global markets.

According to local officials, saffron exports from Afghanistan to various countries have increased in recent months.

Abdul Khaleq Khodadadi, head of the Afghanistan Saffron Consortium, said: “Many countries around the world are highly interested in Afghan saffron. This interest is due to its natural purity and high quality. Most countries prefer to buy Afghan saffron.”

Local officials in Herat say that in recent years, saffron harvesting and processing in the province have become more standardized. The increase in both exports and saffron prices has led to greater interest among Herat farmers in cultivating the crop.

Mohammad Ebrahim Adel, head of the Afghanistan Saffron Union, stated: “Saffron is a commercial crop. I can say that this year, over 1,500 hectares of land have been added to saffron cultivation. Traders, farmers, and industry workers have been encouraged to expand its production.”

According to data from the Afghanistan Saffron Union, over 40 metric tons of saffron have been harvested in the country this year.

Union officials also report that 12,000 hectares of land across Afghanistan are under saffron cultivation, employing more than 80,000 people in its planting and harvesting.