Known as"red gold", saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, locally retailing for as much as R250 000 per kilogram.
Known as"red gold", saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Spain and Iran are the biggest producers, with the latter having a market share above 90%. A total of 20 million corms have been planted to date. Once a year, under favourable conditions, each corm multiplies underground about three times. Therefore, one hectare planted with corms will have enough corms by year four for 24 hectares of planting.
"This makes saffron ideal for commercial farmers who want to diversify. It also creates an opportunity for South Africans wanting to branch into agriculture on a small scale," says Engelbrecht.
_Business Good one. Will create jobs for women.