ISO Licence Permits Afghan Saffron To Access Int. Markets: ACCI

Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) officials said on Tuesday that Afghan saffron still cannot access the international markets as majority of saffron producers in the country have not been certified by the International Standards Organization (ISO) yet.

The officials urged the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) to take practical steps to remove the barrier in front of Afghan saffron producers.

They have also urged one of the other barriers which stop Afghan Saffron to reach to International consumers is that the packing of Afghan Saffron isn’t as standard as it should be.

Deputy of chamber of commerce Khanjan Alkozai said,” The majority of the Afghanistan products is facing problems especially Afghan Saffron, We have best consumers and customers in Saudi Arabia, United Arabic Emirates.”

Receiving the International Standards Organization selling license for Afghan Saffron is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock which guarantees the Afghanistan products to be sold in the International markets officials in chamber of commerce and industry mentioned.

Officials in Ministry of Agriculture and livestock said efforts are underway to standardize the Afghanistan products specially receiving of the International Standards Organization (ISO) permit letter.

Ministry of Agriculture and livestock Spokesman Lutfullah Rashed said,” We export Afghanistan’s saffron to 16 countries in the world, Last year farmers planted one thousand acres of lands, but this year the figure jumped up to one thousand 150 acres of lands in 34 provinces.”

The efforts come after that Afghanistan saffron rated best in the world for third consecutive year by international institute based in Brussels.

Saffron was brought to Afghanistan as good alternative for poppy and Narcotic drugs years back.

Reported by: Aslam Hejaab