Iranian saffron wholesale: buy Sargol, Negin and Pushal from exporters

Where Iranian saffron comes from and when it is harvested

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is grown on a large scale in Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan, around Torbat-e Heydarieh, Gonabad and Qaenat. Smaller volumes come from Kerman, Fars and other provinces.

The flowers are picked by hand from late October to late November. The red stigmas are separated and dried within days, so new-crop saffron reaches exporters from November and December onward. Ask the supplier for the crop year on every offer, because saffron loses aroma and color with age.

Iranian saffron grades compared

Iranian grade names describe how the thread is cut, not the lab result. Two lots called Negin can test very differently, so always pair the grade name with an ISO 3632 report.

ISO 3632 lab values to ask for

ISO 3632 is the international standard for saffron. It sorts saffron into categories I, II and III by spectrophotometric tests on a 1% water extract. Coloring strength comes from crocin, bitterness from picrocrocin and aroma from safranal. Category I is the highest.

Ask for a recent report from an accredited laboratory on the exact lot you are buying, and keep a sealed reference sample. Our guide /guides/saffron-grades-iso-3632 explains how to read the report.

Quality checks before you pay

• ISO 3632 report for the actual lot, with the lab name and date.
• Crop year and province of origin written on the offer.
• Floral waste and foreign matter within the ISO limit for the category.
• Tests for added dyes and for adulterants such as safflower, dyed style or other plant parts, especially for powder.
• Moisture: wet saffron weighs more and spoils; very dry saffron breaks.
• A pre-shipment sample from the same lot, sealed and photographed in chat.

Packaging, MOQ, shelf life and storage

Bulk saffron is usually packed in 50 g to 1 kg sealed foil or vacuum bags inside tins or cartons. Many exporters also pack retail sizes from 0.5 g to 5 g in glass jars, tins or acrylic boxes, often with the buyer's own label.

Bulk MOQs usually start around 0.5–1 kg, while private-label retail orders usually need a minimum number of units per design. Kept airtight, dark, cool and dry, saffron keeps its quality best within about two years of harvest. Price depends mostly on grade, lab values, crop year, packaging and order size.

HS code, documents and shipping

Saffron is classified under HS 0910.20 (six digits); check the full national code with your customs broker. Because saffron is light and valuable, most lots ship by air freight, often via Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport or Mashhad, while larger mixed food loads can go by sea from Bandar Abbas.

Typical documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, lab analysis and, where your country requires it, a health or phytosanitary certificate. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order. See /guides/export-documents-from-iran and /guides/shipping-routes-from-iran.

How to buy saffron on ASL Market

Browse saffron listings in /categories/asl_agriculture_food and open a chat with the supplier. Messages go through ASL Market, so contact details stay private. If you do not see the right offer, post a buying request at /post-request with grade, ISO category, quantity, packaging and destination.

The supplier confirms price, quantity, freight, Incoterm and ship-by date before you pay. Payment is in USDT today, and more payment methods are coming soon. ASL Secure Pay holds the payment until you confirm receipt; if you neither confirm nor dispute, receipt is confirmed automatically after a set period. If there is a problem, open a dispute and ASL Market decides it, including partial refunds. Read more at /trade-assurance.

FAQ

What is the difference between Sargol and Negin saffron?

Both are all-red saffron without the yellow style. Sargol is the red tips only, with shorter and sometimes broken threads. Negin has longer, fuller, evenly cut stigmas and usually looks better in retail jars. The lab values in an ISO 3632 report matter more than the name.

Which ISO 3632 category should a wholesale buyer ask for?

Most retail and premium food-service buyers ask for Category I, with coloring strength of at least 200. Food manufacturers sometimes accept Category II. State the category and the minimum crocin value in your buying request so offers are comparable.

When is the best time to buy new-crop Iranian saffron?

Harvest runs from late October to late November, and new-crop saffron is usually available from November and December. Buying soon after harvest gives the longest shelf life. Always confirm the crop year in writing.

What is the HS code for saffron?

Saffron falls under HS 0910.20 at the six-digit level. National tariff lines add more digits and can split threads from powder. Check the full code with your customs broker.

How is saffron shipped from Iran?

Most saffron ships by air because it is light and high in value. Larger mixed food loads may go by sea from Bandar Abbas, often with transshipment via Jebel Ali. The supplier adds the checked freight cost to your invoice before you pay.

Can I order private-label saffron?

Many Iranian packers fill jars, tins and boxes with the buyer's label. Agree the label text, language and design approval in chat, and ask for the MOQ per design. Make sure the label meets your own country's food labelling rules.

Is every saffron supplier on ASL Market inspected?

No. A «Verified» badge means the store has at least two live listings with photos or documents checked by ASL Market. ASL Market does not physically inspect goods, so ask for lab reports and samples, and rely on escrow payment until you confirm receipt.