21.10.2026 00:12
Saffron harvest continues in Safranbolu, the district of Karabük on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Saffron, which can dye 100,000 times its own weight in liquid yellow and is used in many products from cologne to desserts, is being offered for sale at 800,000 TL per kilogram. While a dry saffron harvest of 55-56 kilograms is expected this season, the production area has increased from 81 decares in 2023 to 115 decares.
The harvest of the saffron plant, which is identified with the Safranbolu district of Karabük, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is ongoing. Saffron, which can dye 100,000 times its own weight in liquid yellow and is used in cologne, soap, tea, cream, paint, food and desserts, is being offered for sale at 800,000 TL per kilogram.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO ATTENDED THE HARVEST
The harvest was carried out at the saffron production farm located in the Keten neighborhood of Yukarı Çiftlik village in Safranbolu, within the scope of the "Saffron Cultivation Growing with Science under Controlled Conditions" project. Karabük Governor Oktay Çağatay also attended the saffron harvest event. Stating that saffron is used in many products, Governor Oktay Çağatay said, "I also saw that it is used in many products and displayed in terms of value. I was very pleased as well. As a matter of fact, it has now become identified with the name Safranbolu. As the director mentioned a moment ago, we expect a harvest of around 55-56 kilograms this year. Of course, 55-56 kilograms is a very small amount for another product, but saffron is of course very valuable."
PRODUCTION AREA REACHED 115 DECARES
Karabük Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Yasin Önder stated that the saffron production area, which was 81 decares in 2023, reached 115 decares in 2026, and said, "Our number of producers has risen to 55, and approximately 55-56 kilograms of dry saffron harvest is expected this season. This development is an important indication of the efforts of our producers and the work carried out by our institutions in the field."
Saffron producer Mine Yılmaz also stated that saffron cultivation requires intensive labor and attention at every stage, and said, "It is a product that requires intensive labor and attention at every stage of saffron cultivation. Timing is of great importance, especially during the harvest period. Collecting the flowers one by one at the appropriate time, separating the stigmas from the flower, and carrying out the drying process correctly directly affect the quality of the product to be obtained."
Following the speeches, the harvest was carried out in the saffron field.