IFP - More than 172 tons of saffron worth $246.7 million were exported to 47 countries, including the US, in the last Iranian year that ended March 20, the president of Iran�s National Saffron Center said.





The figure shows an over 32.3% rise in weight compared to the previous year.

�It is estimated that during the current year, exports will rise by 20% provided prices stay balanced and no export limitations are imposed,� Gholamreza Miri was quoted as saying by Young Journalists Club.

Iran is the world�s biggest saffron producer and accounts for more than 90% of the global production.

Close to 95% of Iranian saffron are grown in the two provinces of South Khorasan and Khorasan Razavi in northeastern Iran.

Last year, area under saffron cultivation increased from 88,000 to 95,000 hectares.