Moroccan saffron gains interest in Russia
Moroccan saffron could attract interest from Russian buyers as supplies from Iran decline, according to a report by 7News Maroc and agencies on March 16th.
Producers have reported interest from Russian buyers amid constraints on Iranian exports linked to sanctions and logistical challenges.
Iran remains the world’s largest saffron producer and has historically dominated global supply.
Iran accounts for about 90% of global saffron production, but traders say Morocco could serve as a short-term alternative for buyers seeking a high-quality supply.
Other sources include India, Spain, and Afghanistan, though traders said these are often considered less comparable in flavour and strength.
In Russia, Iranian saffron has become increasingly scarce in retail markets, traders said. Available supplies are largely drawn from stock imported late last year.
Prices could rise if supply constraints persist. Standard saffron, currently priced at about $4 to $8 per gram, could increase to between $7.5 and $12.5 per gram, while premium Iranian saffron could rise from about $15 to $22.5 to between $25 and $31 per gram.
In Morocco’s mountainous southern Souss-Massa region, the town of Taliouine is the country’s main saffron-growing area. They said they have seen a growing number of Russian buyers seeking alternative suppliers.
Moroccan saffron is being marketed as a premium product, reflecting its small-scale production and seasonal harvest.
The crop flowers for only a few weeks each year, between October and early November, during which each bloom is handpicked. It takes roughly 150 flowers to produce one gram of saffron and about 200,000 to produce one kilogram.
Production is also governed by a protected designation of origin, limiting output to the Taliouine region and requiring traditional farming methods.
Morocco is already a key exporter of citrus fruits and tomatoes to Russia, and existing trade routes could support additional shipments of saffron.
The Kingdom also signed a new trade deal with the EU in October 2025, allowing agricultural and fisheries products to benefit from preferential trade conditions.
According to trade data, Morocco exports relatively small volumes of saffron compared to major producers such as Iran, though exports have expanded in recent years.
7NewsMaroc and agencies, Barlaman Today and agencies, The Caspian Post and agencies, WITS, Maghrebi.org
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