Iranian red gold dealers struggle to export since reinstatement of US sanctions on Tehran, reports The Economist. They must now deal with the lengthening of the distribution chain, in addition to the vagaries of the weather which threaten production.
Despite the high price of saffron on the European market, “Iranian traders are in turmoil”, reports the British newspaper The Economist. The US sanctions, reinstated and strengthened in 2018 following Washington’s withdrawal from the historic nuclear deal, would be the main trigger for this crisis.
“To get around them, Iranian saffron traders often use non-Iranian middlemen, opaque supply chains and complicated payment procedures,” explains the British weekly. But these new networks intended to bring the product outside the borders of the Islamic Republic have also damaged its reputation. On the tortuous path towards its final destination, red gold undergoes changes degrading its quality. “Sometimes Iranian saffron is mixed with flower scraps or other spices to increase its weight”, reveals The Economist.
In February, Spanish police seized 400 kilos of saffron threads held by a smuggling ring that allegedly imported Iranian products, added cheaper ingredients, and then sold them as a much-loved variety. [en Espagne].”
The embarrassment of buyers
The newspaper cites a recent study commissioned by the European Union, according to which “11% of saffron for sale in the
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Great institution of the British press, The Economist, founded in 1843 by a Scottish hatter, is the bible for anyone interested in international news. Openly liberal, he generally defends free trade,
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