Saffron sales dropped between 20 to 30 percent in solar year 1400 compared to the previous year, the Afghan traders said, adding that the prices have also significantly increased.
The traders also called on the Islamic Emirate to facilitate the export of Afghan products.
“We had a 20-30 percent drop in product. Due to less products, the prices have also risen,” said Mohammad Azghar, a trader.
“Last year (1400 solar), the price of one kilo was around 100,000 to 150,000 Afs,” said Shibita Omidwar, a saffron worker.
Meanwhile, traders complained that due to the lack of an air-corridor, the export of saffron abroad has recently dropped.
“We have exports to at least 28 countries. We are facing a lot of restrictions at the moment. One of them is the lack of an air-corridor for saffron exports,” said Nasir Azimi, a saffron trader.
Based on available numbers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, saffron is being cultivated on more than 8,000 hectares of land across Afghanistan.
The saffron yields of Herat have many times been ranked the world’s top saffron.
