09.10.2026 17:42
Saffron, grown in the Safranbolu district of Karabük and known as 'the world's most expensive spice,' is entering the new season with a record price. The gram of saffron, whose geographical indication has been registered by the European Union, will be offered for sale at 800 lira, and its kilogram at 800 thousand lira. Producers, who expect about 15 kilograms of product this year, started harvesting as the flowers bloomed early. During the harvest period, which will last until mid-November, the fields will also host visitors.
The harvest excitement has begun for saffron, known as the world's most expensive spice. The kilogram price of saffron grown in Safranbolu has been set at 800,000 lira. Producers stated that this season's weather conditions are more favorable for flowering.
800 PER GRAM, 800,000 LIRA PER KILOGRAM
Saffron, which is identified with the Safranbolu district of Karabük and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, attracts attention with its high price. The new season sales price of the product, whose geographical indication was registered by the European Union Commission, has been announced. Saffron producer İsmail Yılmaz said that they set the gram price at 800 lira and the kilogram price at 800,000 lira. Saffron, used in the paint, culinary, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food sectors, is also traditionally used for various health purposes. However, its use in these areas does not mean that it treats diseases.
15 KILOGRAMS OF PRODUCT EXPECTED THIS YEAR
Saffron producer İsmail Yılmaz stated that the total amount of product to be obtained at the end of the harvest will become clear. Yılmaz, who reported that they expect approximately 15 kilograms of saffron this season, also invited citizens who want to visit the production areas. When calculated based on the announced kilogram price, the sales value of 15 kilograms of saffron reaches 12 million lira. However, this figure represents the gross amount that could be generated if all of the expected product amount is sold at the determined price.
SAFFRON BLOOMED EARLY THIS YEAR
Agricultural engineer and saffron producer Mine Yılmaz announced that saffron flowers began to bloom as of October 7. Yılmaz, stating that they produce on approximately 20 decares of land, explained that they continue cultivation in parcels of different ages. Expressing that due to the plant's biological characteristics they expect higher flower yield from three-year-old parcels, Yılmaz said that the flowering and harvest period lasts approximately 45 days. Noting that compared with the last five years, autumn rainfall and weather conditions have been better, Yılmaz recorded that saffron bloomed approximately 1 to 1.5 weeks early this year.
VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE SAFFRON HARVEST
During the harvest period, which will continue until mid-November, producers will collect flowers from the fields every day. Mine Yılmaz, who has worked on her family's saffron production farm since childhood, explained that after her agricultural engineering education, she has continued cultivation more professionally for the last two years. Yılmaz stated that depending on the intensity of flowering, they plan to give visitors a saffron harvest experience.