TEHRAN, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's saffron exports rose 55 percent year-on-year during the 2017-18 fiscal year ending March, hitting a 10-year high, an official with Tehran Chamber of Commerce said Tuesday.
The exports of 236 tons of saffron brought in more than 325 million U.S. dollars in hard currency revenues in the fiscal year, Kaveh Zargaran was quoted by Press TV as saying.
However, about 77 percent of Iran's saffron shipments go to East Asia, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, despite the fact that some 20 countries import the most expensive spice from the Islamic republic.
This "shows we have not been successful in winning a better share of the world market," Zargaran said.
"Despite our first rank in saffron production and export, the bulk of the exports bring in lower added value," he added.
The official also suggested Iranian traders pay attention to the packaged saffron market.
As the world's biggest saffron producer, Iran produces more than 300 tons of saffron annually, accounting for over 90 percent of the global output.
