TEHRAN, April 3 (Mehr News Agency) - Iran witnessed a 120-ton decrease in saffron export in the last Iranian calendar year (ended March 20, 2007) when compared to the figure in its preceding year, said the Head of Saffron Export Promotion Fund Ali Shariati-Moqaddam here on Tuesday.

Iran exported 38 tons of saffron from Oct. 23, 2006 to Jan. 21, 2007, showing a 38-percent decrease, he added, pointing that last year's saffron production hit 230 tons, of which 201 tons was exported.

Khorassan Razavi and South Khorassan provinces in northeastern Iran account for 86 percent and 14 percent of saffron production respectively, Shariati-Moqaddam said.

Iran's saffron is of top quality, observing the standards of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and holding ISO3631 certificate, he added.

Price rise will have negative effects on the long-term plan on saffron export, the official noted.

... Payvand News - 4/3/07 ... --