Morocco is now the World's Third-Largest Producer of Saffron

Morocco is the third largest producer of saffron in the world, ahead of Greece and India.

Morocco occupies an important place in the saffron market. Indeed, the country remained the world's third largest producer of the most expensive spice in the world, with some 6.8 tonnes cultivated mainly in the Taliouine region.

Thanks to the Green Morocco Plan, the land area dedicated to the cultivation of saffron increased from 610 ha in 2008 to 1,826 hectares in 2018. This has more than tripled in just 10 years, exceeding the objective set at the start by 35%. namely 1,350 ha. As for the area irrigated with the drip irrigation system, it reached 1,600 hectares in 2018, against 210 hectares in 2008, according to data from the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture.

With such a performance, the production of this "red gold" increased from 1,500 kg in 2008 to 6,860 kg in 2018, generating a turnover of around 139 million dirhams in 2018.

Iran produces 90% of the saffron that exists on the market, making it the largest producer and exporter in the world. It is followed by Spain (2nd), Morocco (3rd), India (4th) and Greece (5th).