Herat – Growing saffron in the fields of Herat Province, western Afghanistan, does not appear to be just a seasonal agricultural activity, but rather an integrated economic system in which manual farming intersects with international trade and complex export chains. There, where small flowers are picked in the early morning hours, the value of one of the most expensive agricultural commodities in the world is determined, in a market that does not stop reshaping its positions.
In recent years, Afghan saffron has transformed from a limited crop into an export commodity with an increasing presence in global markets. Data from the agricultural and trade sector in Afghanistan indicate that saffron exports amounted to about 56 tons, with a value of approximately $54 million during the year 2025, at a time when the importer base is expanding to include markets in Europe, North America, and Australia.
This expansion comes in a global market traditionally dominated by Iran, which is the largest producer of saffron in the world with an estimated production of about 400 tons annually, or approximately 90% of global production. However, this sector has witnessed during the recent period challenges related to supply chains and commercial communication, which – according to workers in the sector – was reflected in the export movement to foreign markets, without this leading to a radical change in the structure of the market.
Export crop
A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Afghanistan, Sher Muhammad Hatami, told Al Jazeera Net that saffron is one of the most important export crops in the country, noting that production amounts to about 40 tons annually, the bulk of which is produced in Herat Province, which is the main center for this crop in the country.
Hatami adds that, in recent years, this sector has witnessed a gradual expansion of its agriculture outside the state of Herat, to include a number of other states, within the framework of plans aimed at raising the volume of national production and enhancing export capacity.
The same spokesman explains that this expansion comes as part of a government move to support high-value alternative agriculture, which contributes to increasing foreign exchange revenues and improving the income of farmers in rural areas by encouraging the shift towards more profitable export crops such as saffron.
Seasonal job opportunities
Inside one of the saffron fields in Herat, Abdul Hakim Atayi, a worker who has been participating in the harvest seasons for years, says that working in saffron cultivation has become an important source of income for many rural families, especially with the expansion of cultivated areas in recent years.
Abdul Hakim adds to Al Jazeera Net that work on harvesting saffron begins in the early morning hours, where the flowers are picked manually and then transported to the sorting and drying centers. These stages require a lot of manpower and precision in dealing with the product.
He explains that the increase in demand for saffron during the current season was reflected in the volume of work inside the fields and packing centers, noting that some farmers and companies needed a larger number of workers compared to the previous period.
He says that many workers in Herat depend on the saffron season as a seasonal source of income that helps them cover part of their living needs, especially in rural areas where fixed job opportunities are limited.
Change in export destinations
A number of saffron exporters in Afghanistan say that external demand for the local product has witnessed an increase during the recent period, coinciding with changes in regional export routes, which has led to an enhanced presence of Afghan companies in some international markets.
Abdullah Khairandesh, director of one of the saffron export companies, told Al Jazeera Net that the disruption of some shipping routes and commercial communication in the region affected the movement of trade, explaining that a number of customers who were relying on the Iranian market began heading towards Afghanistan.
Khairandesh adds that his company has received orders from international markets including Australia, Canada, and the United States of America, noting that a portion of these orders have turned into actual export contracts in recent months.
For his part, Nithar Ahmed Ataei, an official at another saffron export company, said in a statement to Al Jazeera Net that demand has increased compared to the previous period, adding that some customers who were dealing with Iran are now turning to the Afghan market as a result of changes in export routes.
relative increase
The Afghanistan Saffron Union says that local saffron was already in high demand in global markets, but it acknowledges that there has been a relative increase in exports in the past two months, estimated at about 20% to 25%.
The Federation’s Executive Director, Farhad Amed, told Al Jazeera Net that exports have improved during the recent period, but talk about Afghanistan taking over the global saffron market is inaccurate, indicating that the market is still competitive and depends on several major parties.
While the union denies the accusations related to the re-export of Iranian saffron in the name of Afghanistan, it confirms that Afghan saffron has an independent production identity, and that export operations are subject to regulatory procedures and approved certificates.
He acknowledges that the global saffron market is highly complex and relies on multiple supply chains.
Logistical changes
Experts in agricultural economics believe that the global saffron market is one of the most sensitive markets to changes in supply chains, due to its reliance on rapid transportation and precise standards in quality and storage.
Afghan economist Nimatullah Khabib points out to Al Jazeera Net that any disturbance in a major producing country like Iran can be directly reflected in the movement of international trade, but it does not necessarily lead to a permanent change in the market structure, but rather contributes to a temporary or partial redistribution of demand by suppliers.
Khabib adds that global markets for high-value agricultural commodities such as saffron are flexible in choosing supply sources, and importers tend to diversify suppliers when logistical bottlenecks or difficulties in supply chains occur.
He explains that what the market is currently witnessing is part of a temporary re-adjustment of trade paths rather than a strategic shift in production centers, with continued competition between the main producers in the region.
Between expanding opportunity and market limits
Between the high demand and the expansion of foreign markets, Afghanistan appears to have an opportunity to strengthen its position in the global saffron market, but this expansion is still linked to several crucial factors, most notably the stability of export chains, the development of the logistical infrastructure, and the preservation of product quality, in addition to continued global demand.
Although Afghan saffron has become more present in international markets recently, the scene remains open in a market that is rapidly affected by economic, logistical, and supply chain changes.
