Morocco’s Saffron Industry Booms: ’Red Gold’ Cultivation Triples in a Decade

Thanks to the Green Morocco Plan, the cultivated area of saffron has more than tripled in 10 years, exceeding the objective set by the agricultural strategy which was 1,350 hectares initially, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture. Morocco also owes this increase to the establishment and launch of Dar Zaâfaran and the co-organization of the 5th International Saffron Symposium.

A platform has also been set up to facilitate the production and multiplication of saffron horns and 112 cooperatives have been granted aid. Thus, 63 cooperatives have been labeled "protected designation of origin", 8 cooperatives authorized ONSSA, 7 cooperatives certified BIO, 3 others certified "SIOWFOOD" and 2 certified "FAIRTRADE", reports Lavieeco.

Cultivated mainly in Souss-Massa (57% of production) and Draa-Tafilalt (43%), its enhancement is ensured by these two regions, with 82 units installed in Souss-Massa with a capacity of 2.15 T/year and 57 units installed in Draa-Tafilalt with a capacity of 1.4 T/year. For the sale of this "red gold", there is a short circuit through which 55% of the production is sold and which is mainly composed of cooperatives, companies and GIEs. 40% of the production is marketed through the long circuit composed of large and small collectors and finally, 5% of the production is sold directly by the producers to consumers.

For the record, the saffron industry reached in 2019, a turnover of 78 MDH and an added value of 58 MDH/, having allowed the creation of 258,000 working days and investments of around 60.3 MDH, of which 56.5 MDH mobilized by the State.