In pursuit of red gold, Morocco wants to position itself as the kingdom of Saffron. Focusing on the most expensive spice in the world, the country has more than tripled the area of Saffron cultivated in 10 years to 4,050 hectares.
The development was boosted by the facilities of the Green Morocco Plan, launched in 2008, but also by the establishment of several cooperatives.
The Dar Azaafaran Economic Interest Group has nurtured the development of saffron cultivation in Morocco by playing an integrating role for producers in the sector. The kingdom also guarantees the quality of local production through the creation of the “Protected Designation of Origin” label, from which 63 companies currently benefit. In addition, there are 8 cooperatives that have received certification from the National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA). There are 7 certified organic cooperatives.
Cherifian saffron is also intended to be fair through the certification of three “Slow Food” companies and two “Fair Trade” companies. Investments in the saffron sector are encouraged through the establishment of a platform to facilitate the production of saffron horns but also the allocation of aid, of which 112 cooperatives have been entitled.
The Souss-Massa region provides 57% of production thanks to 82 production units installed with a total capacity of 2.15 tonnes per year. At the same time, 43% of saffron production takes place at Draa-Tafilalt where 57 units are installed there for a total capacity of 1.4 tonnes per year. As far as sales are concerned, a short circuit made up mainly of cooperatives, drains 55% of production while 40% goes through a long circuit, which brings together large and small collectors. The remaining 5% is sold by producers to consumers.
The Moroccan saffron sector generated a turnover of 7.4 million euros in 2019 and attracted the equivalent of 6 million euros, including 5.3 million euros mobilized by the State. It should be noted that the global saffron market would reach $ 4 billion by 2027, according to Reportlinker’s market studies.
It is a question of a prolific and strategic sector given that the price of saffron varies between 30 euros and 40 euros, per gram. For information, a kilo of saffron costs a hundred times more expensive than truffles and ten times more expensive than caviar. Red gold remains scarce and requires a lot of work from growers. Indeed, a kilogram of Crocus sativus flower allows to obtain only 12 grams of spice.
