XP-0023 Spices
Asafoetida
Top-grade Asafoetida with rich aroma and intense flavor, processed under hygienic conditions for global export.
FSSAIISO 22000APEDA
Min. Order
500 Kg
🌿 Vegetarian Product
✓ Non-GMO
🌱 Organic Available
Spices SKU: XP-0185
Saffron
Authentic premium Kashmiri Saffron known for its intense color and aroma, sourced for global luxury spice markets.
Commercial Trade Terms
Min. Order (MOQ)
1 kg
HS Code
09102010
Origin
India (Kashmir)
Price Range
Price on Request
Export Documents
- Certificate of Origin (J&K Government / Chamber of Commerce)
- Spices Board of India Certificate
- ISO 3632 Grade Certificate
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) — Crocin, Safranal, Picrocrocin
- Pesticide Residue Test Report
- Non-GMO Certificate
- Kashmiri Saffron GI Certificate
Available Bag Sizes
1g5g10g25g50g100g500g1kg
Available Bag Types
Glass JarVacuum Sealed PouchTin CanKraft Pouches
Product Overview
Kashmiri saffron (Crocus sativus) holds a singular position in the global spice trade: it is the world's most expensive spice by weight, a GI-protected luxury ingredient, and a pharmaceutical raw material — all simultaneously. The spice consists of the hand-harvested dried stigmas of the saffron crocus flower, with each flower producing just three crimson threads. India's saffron production is concentrated almost entirely in the Pampore region of Kashmir's Karewa plateau — a high-altitude microclimate that produces saffron with consistently higher Crocin values (ISO 3632 Grade 1, Crocin > 250) than Iranian or Spanish alternatives, making Kashmiri saffron the benchmark for premium buyers globally.
Three commercial grades define the Kashmiri saffron market: Mongra (Grade 1, stigmas only — the purest and most expensive form sought by pharmaceutical and luxury food buyers), Lacha (Grade 2, stigmas with partial style, used for premium culinary applications), and Zarda/Guchhi (traditional bunch presentation for gifting, heritage, and specialty retail). Each grade is assessed against ISO 3632 standards for Crocin (colour), Picrocrocin (bitterness), and Safranal (aroma) — three parameters where Kashmiri saffron consistently outperforms competing origins. GI tagging and Spices Board certification provide buyers with legally verifiable provenance, critical for premium market positioning and anti-adulteration assurance.
B2B demand for Kashmiri saffron spans luxury food manufacturers (confectionery, ice cream, rice dishes), pharmaceutical companies investigating saffron's antidepressant and cognitive health properties, high-end cosmetics and skincare brands, and premium retail importers targeting Middle Eastern, European, and Japanese markets. The pharmaceutical segment is the fastest-growing demand driver, with clinical research into saffron's neuroprotective properties expanding buyer interest beyond traditional culinary channels. Because Kashmiri saffron production is limited by the specific terroir of the Karewa plateau and is entirely hand-harvested, supply is structurally constrained — making early-season forward contracting essential for buyers requiring consistent annual volume.
As a leading manufacturer and exporter in India, IndianXporter ensures that our Saffron meets the stringent quality requirements of international markets. Our robust supply chain allows us to fulfill bulk orders consistently, offering highly competitive FOB and CIF pricing to our B2B partners worldwide.
Our processing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensuring that every shipment of Saffron is thoroughly sorted, cleaned, and graded. We adhere to global food safety and industrial standards, backed by third-party inspections from agencies like SGS upon buyer request.
🌿
Varieties Found in India
Regional cultivars available for bulk export
Mongra (Grade-1)
Pampore, Kashmir
Pure stigmas only. ISO 3632 Grade 1. Highest crocin (>200).
Lacha (Grade-2)
Pampore, Kashmir
Stigmas with partial style. ISO Grade 2. More affordable.
Zarda / Guchhi
Kashmir
Traditional bunch form. Unprocessed stigmas tied in clusters.
Specific variety available on request — mention in your RFQ.
What is Saffron?
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the world's most expensive spice by weight — derived from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus flower. Each flower produces only 3 stigmas, and harvesting must be done by hand within hours of blooming in October-November. It takes approximately 150,000 flowers to produce 1 kilogram of dry saffron, explaining its extraordinary market value.
Kashmiri Saffron, grown in the Pampore region of the Kashmir Valley at altitudes of 1,600–1,800 metres above sea level, is globally recognised as the highest-quality saffron available. It holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is distinguished by its thick stigmas, deep crimson colour, intense Safranal aroma, and world-leading Crocin (colour) values consistently exceeding ISO 3632 Grade 1 specifications.
India's Kashmiri Saffron competes primarily with Iranian saffron (which dominates global volume at ~85% market share) and Spanish saffron. However, Kashmiri saffron consistently commands the highest per-kilogram price in the world due to its superior active compound profile. The global nutraceutical industry's discovery of saffron's neuroprotective, antidepressant, and macular health benefits has created explosive demand from pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturers.
Technical Specifications
| ISO Grade | Grade 1 (Mongra/Lacha) — highest international grade |
| Crocin (Colour) | > 250 (ISO 3632 Grade 1 minimum: 200) |
| Safranal (Aroma) | 20–50 (ISO 3632 range) |
| Picrocrocin (Taste) | > 85 (ISO 3632 Grade 1 minimum: 70) |
| Moisture | 12% Max |
| Floral Waste | < 0.1% (Mongra grade — stigmas only) |
| Ash Content | 8% Max |
| Styles (Yellow threads) | < 10% (Lacha grade) |
| Storage Form | Whole threads (stigmas) — not powder |
Commercial Grades & Classification
Mongra (Grade 1 — Stigmas Only)
Processing: Pure dried stigmas, hand-sorted, floral waste < 0.1%
Colour: Deep crimson red — no yellow style threads
Use Case: Pharmaceutical extraction, premium culinary, luxury gifting, ISO 3632 Grade 1 certified
Premium grade — highest value per gram
Lacha (Grade 2 — Stigmas + Partial Style)
Processing: Stigmas with partial yellow style attached
Colour: Crimson with visible yellow thread sections
Use Case: Premium culinary use, restaurant supply, retail consumer packs
-15–25% below Mongra grade
Zarda / Guchhi (Traditional Bunch)
Processing: Traditional unprocessed bunch form — stigmas tied together
Colour: Crimson clusters
Use Case: Traditional Indian market, luxury gifting, specialty culinary
Variable — traditional form commands cultural premium
Indicative FOB Pricing
Prices are indicative. Request a formal quote for contractual pricing.
| Grade | FOB Price (USD/MT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kashmiri Saffron Mongra Grade 1 | $2,500 – $5,000/kg | ISO 3632 Grade 1, Crocin > 250 — Q1 2026 indicative |
| Kashmiri Saffron Lacha Grade 2 | $1,800 – $3,500/kg | ISO Grade 2 — premium culinary and retail grade |
Price Influencing Factors
- •Annual harvest yield — Kashmir saffron area is declining due to urbanisation and climate change; poor harvests push prices sharply higher
- •Iranian competition — Iran produces 85% of global saffron volume; when Iranian prices fall, premium narrows for Kashmiri saffron
- •ISO 3632 grade verification — buyers increasingly specify lab-verified Crocin values; higher Crocin = higher price
- •Adulteration risk — saffron is the world's most adulterated spice; buyers who demand clean certificates pay a premium
- •Pharmaceutical demand surge — nutraceutical brands buying saffron extract for antidepressant and eye health applications at scale
- •Currency and J&K geopolitics — any disruption in Kashmir Valley affects harvest, collection, and export logistics
India vs Iran: Saffron Comparison
Iran dominates global saffron volume (~85% market share) with its Khorasan province production. Kashmiri saffron is the undisputed quality leader despite far lower volume, commanding the world's highest saffron price per kilogram due to superior active compound values.
| Aspect | 🇮🇳 India | 🌏 Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Crocin (Colour Value) | > 250 consistently — world's highest | 190–230 typically — high but below Kashmiri |
| Safranal (Aroma) | 20–50 — intensely aromatic | 20–40 — fragrant but less complex |
| Picrocrocin (Taste) | > 85 — bold, complex bitter-sweet taste | 65–85 — good but lower intensity |
| Price (USD/kg) | $2,500–$5,000/kg — world's most expensive | $1,200–$2,500/kg — volume competitive |
| GI Protection | GI Tag No. 131 — legally protected | No equivalent international GI protection |
| Volume | ~15 MT annually — rare and limited | ~400 MT annually — mass market supply |
Applications & End-Use Markets
💊
Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical
The fastest-growing saffron market. Saffron extract standardised to Safranal and Crocin for antidepressant supplements (clinical evidence for mild-to-moderate depression), cognitive health, and macular degeneration treatments. Mongra grade is the preferred raw material for pharmaceutical extraction.
USAGermanyJapanFranceSouth Korea
👨🍳
Premium Culinary & Fine Dining
Saffron is the essential ingredient in paella, risotto Milanese, bouillabaisse, biryanis, and Persian rice dishes. Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotel kitchens specify Kashmiri Mongra grade by name. Even tiny amounts (0.1–0.3g per dish) deliver incomparable colour and flavour.
SpainUAEUKFranceUSA
🎁
Luxury Gifting & Retail
Premium saffron in branded glass jars and luxury packaging is among the world's most gifted premium food products. Middle Eastern and South Asian gifting culture drives significant demand for beautifully packaged, certified Kashmiri saffron in 1g–10g luxury units.
UAEUKUSACanadaGermany
✨
Cosmetics & Skincare
Crocin's antioxidant and skin-brightening properties drive saffron inclusion in luxury face creams, serums, and eye treatments. High-end cosmetic brands (particularly Korean and European) use standardised saffron extract as a premium active ingredient.
South KoreaFranceUAEUSAJapan
Global Trade Architecture
Primary Supply Origins
Iran
~85% of global volumeKhorasan province dominant. Mass market supply at competitive prices. Subject to sanctions affecting payment logistics.
India (Kashmir)
~5%Pampore, Kashmir — world's highest quality saffron. GI protected. Volume small but value exceptional.
Spain (La Mancha)
~5%GI protected Spanish saffron. Premium culinary positioning in European market.
Key Consumption Nodes
Middle East — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Cultural centrepiece of cuisine and gifting. UAE imports and re-exports to wider GCC. South Asian diaspora drives biryani and dessert demand.
European Union — Spain, Germany, Italy, France
Culinary tradition (paella, risotto) and growing nutraceutical demand. EU requires pesticide-clean certificates. Germany leads supplement buyer segment.
USA
Pharmaceutical-grade saffron for supplement manufacturing plus gourmet retail. Amazon is a major retail channel for premium Kashmiri saffron brands.
Japan & South Korea
Luxury skincare ingredient and premium culinary import. Rigorous testing requirements — NABL-certified COA mandatory.
Market Intelligence
Kashmiri saffron occupies a unique position in global trade — it is simultaneously an ultra-luxury spice, a pharmaceutical ingredient, and a cultural heritage product. The combination of limited supply, GI protection, and rising nutraceutical demand has pushed prices to record levels, making it the world's highest-value agricultural commodity per kilogram.
Market Size
Global saffron market: ~$900M (2024). Kashmiri saffron premium segment: ~$50–70M annually.
Growth Rate
~11% CAGR — driven by pharmaceutical and nutraceutical demand surge
Core Demand Drivers
- Clinical evidence for saffron's antidepressant efficacy — published meta-analyses driving supplement brand launches globally
- Macular degeneration research — Crocin showing protective effects against age-related vision loss
- Rising luxury food and gifting culture — premium culinary ingredients as social status markers in Middle East and Asia
- K-beauty and clean beauty movement — saffron as a luxury active in Korean and European skincare
- South Asian diaspora affluence — second-generation diaspora investing in premium heritage ingredients
Supply Dynamics
Kashmir saffron cultivation area has declined by 75% over 50 years — from 5,707 hectares in 1970 to approximately 3,715 hectares today — due to urbanisation, climate change, and declining water table. This structural supply contraction against growing pharmaceutical demand is the defining market dynamic: prices will remain elevated and volatile.
⚠ India Risk Factor
Climate change in the Kashmir Valley — warmer winters reducing corm dormancy, irregular snowfall affecting irrigation — is the existential supply threat. Political instability in J&K creates periodic logistical disruptions for harvest and export. Authenticity risk — Indian saffron is frequently adulterated with Iranian saffron relabelled as Kashmiri.
Future Outlook
Pharmaceutical-grade standardised saffron extract (affron®, Safr'Inside™) is the highest-growth application — clinical-grade saffron with Safranal standardisation at 3.5% commands $8,000–15,000/kg equivalent value. Kashmiri saffron farmers investing in GI-certified, lab-verified production have the strongest long-term pricing power.
HS / HSN Codes
| Product Type | HS 6-Digit | ITC-HS 8-Digit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saffron (Whole Threads) | 0910.20 | 09102000 | Saffron — neither crushed nor ground |
| Saffron (Powdered) | 0910.20 | 09102090 | Saffron, crushed or ground |
Certifications & Compliance Standards
| Standard | Code / Reference | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 3632 | ISO 3632-1:2011 | International saffron classification — Grade 1 (highest) through Grade 3. Our saffron meets Grade 1. |
| GI Tag | GI India No. 131 | Kashmiri Saffron Geographical Indication — legally protects origin authenticity |
| Spices Board | SB Certificate | Mandatory quality certification for all saffron exports from India |
| EU Food Safety | EC 178/2002 | Full traceability from Pampore farm to export — documented |
| FSSAI | FSS Act 2006 | Indian food safety compliance for processing and packaging |
Storage, Handling & Logistics
Shelf Life
36 months in airtight, dark, cool storage
Storage Conditions
Airtight container, below 15°C, away from light and moisture. Saffron is highly hygroscopic — any moisture exposure accelerates degradation.
Container Type
Air freight in sealed glass vials or vacuum foil pouches. Sea freight for bulk (>500g) in airtight tin containers within sealed cartons.
Fumigation
Not required or recommended — chemical treatment degrades the delicate volatile compounds that define saffron quality
Storage Advantage
Unlike most spices, properly stored saffron actually develops deeper colour over the first 6–12 months. Crocin values stabilise and aroma becomes more complex with careful aging.
Why Source Saffron from India?
- World's highest Crocin values — Kashmiri Pampore saffron consistently exceeds ISO 3632 Grade 1 with Crocin > 250
- GI Tag No. 131 — legal protection against counterfeit Kashmiri saffron labelling
- Complete ISO 3632 test reports — Crocin, Safranal, and Picrocrocin values lab-verified with every shipment
- Direct from Pampore growers — full traceability with farm GPS coordinates and harvest date documentation
- Pharmaceutical-grade documentation — NABL lab COA, Spices Board certificate, and pesticide clean report
- Flexible quantities — minimum 100g for trial orders up to bulk kg quantities for pharmaceutical extraction
Industrial Usage
Essential raw materials for spice blends, seasoning manufacturing, and oleoresin extraction. High-purity technical grades available for industrial procurement and technical application.
Standard
Technical Grade
Supply
Bulk Only
Packaging & Logistics
Standard Packaging
Steam Sterilized Laminated Bags / Cartons
Private Label / OEM
Custom Grinding & Private Labeling
Port of Loading
Chennai or Nhava Sheva Port
Incoterms
FOB, CIF, CFR accepted
Global Export Reach for Saffron
IndianXporter successfully exports Saffron to major international markets. Click your region below to view destination-specific compliance and shipping details.
Industrial Application Verticals
B2B Solutions
Private Label Saffron
Establish your own brand in the international market. We provide end-to-end custom white-label packaging and branding solutions for retail distribution. Get retail-ready Saffron under your brand name with our expert OEM services.
- Custom pouch, jar & bulk bag design
- Multi-lingual labeling & regulatory compliance
- FSSAI, ISO & FDA certified facilities
- Flexible packaging sizes (100g to 50kg)
Retail Ready
From Design to Delivery
Export Markets
USA UAE Europe South East Asia
We provide market-specific compliance documentation for each destination. Contact us for country-specific certifications.
Importing Saffron: B2B FAQs
What is the lead time for a bulk order of Saffron?
Our standard lead time for Saffron is 7-14 business days from order confirmation to dispatch from an Indian port. For private label orders, allow an additional 5 days for packaging customization.
Can I request a sample of Saffron before placing a full container order?
Yes, we provide 100g to 500g samples of Saffron for quality validation. Sample costs are usually free, with the buyer covering international courier charges (DHL/FedEx).
Which Incoterms do you offer for Saffron?
We primarily quote on FOB (Nhava Sheva/Mundra) or CIF (Destination Port) basis. We can also provide CFR and door-to-door DDP pricing for specific regions upon request.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Saffron?
Our standard MOQ for Saffron is 1 kg. However, we can accommodate smaller trial orders or mixed container shipments (LCL) for new B2B partners seeking to evaluate our quality.
Do you provide samples and laboratory reports for Saffron?
Yes, we provide pre-shipment samples and comprehensive laboratory testing reports (including pesticide residues, heavy metals, and purity analysis) for Saffron to ensure full compliance with your destination country's regulations.
What are the export logistics and lead times for bulk orders?
We primarily ship through Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) and Mundra ports using FOB, CIF, or CFR terms. Standard lead time for Saffron is 15-25 business days from the receipt of the Advance Payment or confirmed L/C.
Related
More Spices Products
View all →
XP-0010 Spices
Bay Leaf
Top-grade Bay Leaf with rich aroma and intense flavor, processed under hygienic conditions for global export.
FSSAIISO 22000APEDA
Min. Order
500 Kg
XP-0178 Spices
Black Pepper
Premium bold Black Pepper sourced from South India, dried and graded for superior flavor and international export.
Spices Board IndiaFSSAIISO 22000
Min. Order
500 kg
Export Saffron Worldwide
Country-specific compliance, ports and CIF pricing for bulk saffron shipments.
Industrial Applications of Saffron
Industry-grade saffron supply with technical COA and specifications.