MUMBAI, 24 November 2025: Saffron, which enchants mankind in terms of taste, aroma and health and is considered the 'Breadwinner' of the farmers of the Kashmir Valley, is famous as the golden spice due to its medicinal properties and its high price. Although Spanish saffron was considered the best in the world, for the last five years, saffron production has decreased in the saffron-growing areas of Spain due to climatic change.
Due to which the price and trade calculations of Kashmiri saffron are changing. Saffron cultivation was damaged due to the initial dry weather in the Pompore and Kistwar areas of Kashmir in the last monsoon, and later the standing crops were washed away due to heavy rains in the month of October.
It is estimated that the saffron crop this time will be only 20 to 25 percent. Rajendra Shah, treasurer of the Mumbai Dry Fruit Association, who has been in the saffron business for 30 years, says that this is the reason why saffron prices have doubled in a month since the start of the season this time.
Saffron is grown in Spain, India, Iran, Europe and Afghanistan. But in terms of quality, India comes after Spain. Saffron from Pampore area near Srinagar has also been awarded the GI tag. While the quality of Iranian and Afghan saffron is low. Now, as the production in Spain is decreasing, Indian saffron is being exported to Spain. And from there, it is being packaged under the Spanish brand and exported to India and the Gulf countries.
Experts say that this new business cycle has been set up as the price of Spanish saffron is the highest in the global market. A month ago, the price of Kashmiri saffron (Mogra) was INR 1,60,000 per kg, which has now increased to INR 3,20,000. While the price of saffron (Kishtewar) was INR 1,85,000 per kg, which has now increased to INR 4,00,000.
ince the Indian government abrogated Article 370-A and started promoting Kashmiri agriculture products, situations have changed and Kashmiri saffron farmers have got opportunities to supply their goods directly to outside provinces.
Iranian saffron is of lower quality than Indian saffron. The annual production of saffron in India is around 8 to 15 tonnes. On the other hand, India's consumption is estimated to be around 100 tonnes. In such a situation, Iranian saffron arrives in India via Dubai and is sold in the name of Kashmiri saffron. Apart from this, duplicate saffron from Rajasthan is also mixed in. The government needs to take steps to stop this.
Kashmir-based saffron wholesaler Nuruddin Azad says that saffron is cultivated on a large scale in the Pampore area of the Kashmir Valley. But due to unseasonal rains in this area, about 85 percent of the crop has failed. A total of 70,000 acres of saffron is cultivated.
However, since the crop is very small this time, the price of real saffron is expected to remain high throughout the year. Often, saffron cultivation is very expensive for farmers. Because when about 1,50,000 flowers are picked, only one kg of dry saffron can be made from it. Moreover, a large amount of skilled manpower is required for saffron cultivation and its picking.
Since the gap between domestic production and supply is very large, the government has now started experiments for saffron cultivation in the cold regions of other states that have suitable climate for saffron cultivation. The government is promoting saffron cultivation especially in Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
By Kalpesh Sheth is an commodities expert with years of experience.
Image credit: foodunfolded.com
