Rabat– The saffron harvest season in Morocco for the 2024-2025 season began in mid-October and is expected to conclude by mid-November. Producers are optimistic about the outcome, with expectations of a significant increase in production compared to the previous year.
Mohamed Basaid, President of the Moroccan Interprofessional Saffron Federation, confirmed that the harvest is progressing well. He indicated that production this year is projected to reach 6 tons, up from 5 tons in 2023.
The increase is attributed to the recent rainfall in the Souss-Massa and Draa-Tafilalet regions, which has aided the irrigation of saffron fields. It marks a stark contrast to last year, when the sector was adversely affected by high temperatures and a lack of rain and snow.
Basaid emphasized that the rainfall will positively impact the quality, color, and quantity of the saffron, helping to meet some of the market’s demand. However, the country still faces a gap between local production and demand, often relying on imports to supplement supply.
Morocco is one of the world’s leading saffron producers, alongside Iran, Spain, Greece, and Italy. Regions such as Talouine, Weslesat, Seroua, Zenaka, Khezama, Taznakht, as well as areas in the Imilchil, Zaida, Bumia, Assoul, and Iknyon territories in the Tinghir province, are recognized for producing some of the finest saffron varieties in the country, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development.
Local saffron prices range from 25 to 40 dirhams per gram, while imported saffron is priced at approximately 30 dirhams per gram, depending on the quality. This year's turnover is expected to be strong, as indicated by the quantity harvested by the women in the cooperatives in the past two weeks.