Dec 18, 2004, 7:10 PM

Spain, UAE biggest consumers of Iran’s saffron

TEHRAN, Dec. 18 (MNA) – In the first eight months of the year (starting March 20, 2004), UAE and Spain provided the biggest markets for Iran’s saffron with a purchase of 10.5 and 8.2 million dollars respectively.

According to a report released by Iran’s Customs Administration, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and France were other big consumers of Iran’s saffron in the period. The export of saffron to all these countries gave Iran a total revenue of 21.25 million dollars.

Totally some 20,403 tons of medical and industrial plants were exported in the period showing a decline of 32 percent in weight but an increase of 20 percent in value compared with the same period last year.

Meanwhile, some 4.36 million dollars was earned from the export of tobacco. The figure shows a growth of 94 percent.

The licorice exported during the same period stood at 737 tons in weight valued at 479.8 thousand dollars increasing 160 percent in weight and 300 percent in value.

Iran also earned 169.26 thousand dollars from the export of cotton. The figure has a 96 percent increase both in value and weight.

India, Iraq, Turkey, Italy, and Pakistan are among countries importing the plants from Iran.

ARA/MA

END

MNA

News ID 9559