Iran War Leads to Sharp Rise in Saffron Prices

London businesses have reported a sharp increase in the cost of saffron due to the ongoing war in Iran. Saffron, one of the world’s most expensive spices, sees 90% of its global supply cultivated in Iran.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a dwindling of supplies, affecting not only saffron but also staples like chickpeas and zereshk – a type of dried berry used for flavouring, widely incorporated into many Iranian and Middle Eastern dishes.
Dilman Mahmoud, owner of the Persian restaurant Sadaf in west London, stated that despite the pressures, he is striving to maintain his prices for customers. Meanwhile, supplier Moein Tiyari reported difficulties in purchasing saffron in bulk.
Mahmoud explained, “Any dishes coming out from the [Sadaf] kitchen with rice, there is a layer of saffron on top of it.” He noted that before the Middle East war, he was buying saffron at approximately £1,200 per kilo, but his supplier now quotes costs between £2,000 and £2,100 per kilo. “It’s quite a lot,” he remarked.
He emphasized the irreplaceable nature of Iranian saffron: “There is no substitute for Iranian saffron. We can’t get the same quality, 85% of our dishes require saffron… we use it in marinades for chicken breast and kebabs, and our saffron ice cream.”
Saffron is derived from the Crocus sativus flower, which blooms for only a few weeks each year. Its stigmas are hand-picked, with only three per flower, requiring between 75,000 and 250,000 flowers to produce half a kilo (about 17 oz) of dried saffron.
The current Middle East war began in late February following strikes on Iran by the US and Israel. Tehran responded by striking neighbouring countries and closing the vital shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Mahmoud added, “We need to increase the prices… we need to pass it to the customers, but I didn’t do it. I’m still not doing it. I’m waiting for hopefully [when the war] is finished and we can keep the price as it is, so people can come out and enjoy the atmosphere of the Sadaf restaurant.”
Moein Tayari, who runs Zoetic Ltd, a UK-based saffron supplier sourcing from Iranian farmers, stated that the conflict makes it challenging to export products due to a lack of flights, causing prices to almost double. Additionally, Iranian authorities have shut down the internet, hindering e-commerce.
He highlighted the ideal conditions in the region for saffron cultivation: “The region is perfect for planting saffron because one drop of rain can destroy saffron. So loads of sunlight, no rain, are perfect.”
Tayari noted, “We are getting calls from some traders in England [asking] if we can provide them with bulk saffron because they can’t connect [online] to the Iranian market. But we can only tell them we have enough for 100g of saffron, or 200g maximum, not more than that. That won’t do them any good, they need more than that.”
Saffron is not the only ingredient affected by the war in Iran. Restaurant owner Mahmoud also sources his chickpeas from Iran, reporting a price increase from £33 to £46 per box. Zereshk, a tart and tangy dried berry commonly used in Persian rice dishes, has also seen its price rise from £9.50 to £13 per kilo (about 35 oz).
The fragile truce between the US and Iran has recently faced further strain after President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s response to US proposals for ending the war and peace talks as “totally unacceptable.”
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran’s proposal, mediated by Pakistan, called for an immediate cessation of fighting, a halt to the US naval blockade, and guarantees against further attacks. Iranian state media indicated the proposal also included compensation for war damage and the assertion of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, without directly referencing Tehran’s proposal, stated: “We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat.” Trump subsequently rejected the plan in a Truth Social post, expressing his disapproval of Iran’s response.
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