The expensive stigmas of saffron from the province of Herat, in Afghanistan, awarded by specialized sectors as one of the most “exquisite”, They represent a powerful business that uses the meticulous and discreet work of Afghan women, excluded from society by the ‘apartheid’ of the Taliban regime.
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Sold in domestic markets for more than 120,000 Afghanis ($1,690) per kilogram, also known as ‘red gold’, is one of the most expensive spices in the world, above premium vanilla beans or cardamom.
Each flower produces only three strands, which means that it takes approximately 75,000 flowers to extract half a kilo of spice.
“More than 80% of saffron harvesting activities are carried out by women,” The deputy director of the Afghan Saffron Union, Abdullah Sadat, explained to EFE that he refers to the importance of this industry as one of the few job creators for Afghan women, banned by the Taliban from much of social life.
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Work in the harvest, In addition to keeping women away from public spaces, it is a type of occupation thataccording to Afghan merchant Roida Azizi, does not require strong physical activity and allows them to secure their own sources of income.
Although most of the world’s production comes from Iran, and one of the most popular in the world comes from Indian Kashmir, Herat saffron was recognized last week with three stars, the maximum possible, of the 2024 Superior Taste Award from the International Flavor Institute of Belgium.
Saffron cultivation EFE
The award went to the Afghan Saffron brand, grown in Herat and directed by a migrant of Afghan origin in the United States.
According to the Afghan Saffron Association, the Central Asian country exports between 35 and 60 tons of this spice per year.
In 2023 alone, close to 30 tons have been exported worth 35 million dollars to India, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Canada, the United States and other countries.
This year it is expected to harvest close to 50 tonsreported the Ministry of Agriculture of the de facto Government of the Taliban.
The commitment to the production of this spice in Afghanistan has coincided with the 95% drop in opium poppy cultivation, which was one of the most profitable forms of income. until the Taliban come to power in 2021, and their campaign to eradicate these crops.
According to a report published last year by the Office of the United Nations against Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Farmers in Afghanistan’s four main provinces had to switch to other types of production such as wheat and saffron.
Amanullah Alokozai, a farmer from the province of Herat 65 years old, which sees saffron as its greatest source of income, revealed the secret formula for the high quality of the product.
“A clean climate, suitable soil and river water of mountain origin, the availability of hard-working human resources who process saffron naturally and by hand; that is why Afghan saffron is of superior quality, pure and organic”said.
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According to Alokozai, “saffron does not need water for irrigation in summer (a factor to take into account given the drought in Afghanistan), it is easy to transport due to its low weight, and it creates jobs for villagers in the unemployment season (October and November)”.
More than 43 private companies They operate in the production, transformation and marketing sectors of saffron in Afghanistan, noted the Ministry of Agriculture.
The most expensive purple flower in the world is grown in Afghanistan in twenty-six provinces, although it is harvested in the vast majority, almost 90%, in Herat.
EFE
