The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that Afghan saffron worth $1.4 million has been sold in the United States.
According to the USAID statement, the agency has facilitated the sale of saffron in US markets.
Meanwhile, several saffron traders believe that the market for Afghan saffron has become more prosperous in foreign countries.
These traders have urged the officials in the Islamic Emirate to attract international organizations' support for Afghan saffron production and exports worldwide.
Abdul Khaliq Khodadadi, a trader, told TOLOnews: "If all institutions focus their attention on the private sector, I think there will be no need for charity programs forever."
Mohammad Haqqyar, another trader, stated: "Support from foreign institutions is very effective for farmers and companies."
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced that in the past six months, about $26 million worth of Afghan saffron has been exported to various countries.
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the ministry's spokesman, said: "In the first six months of 2024, Afghan saffron, with a total weight of 32,500 kilograms valued at approximately $26 million, has been exported to India, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Russia, the United States, and other countries."
On the other hand, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment stated that if major challenges such as banking restrictions and obtaining commercial visas for traders exporting to foreign countries are resolved, Afghanistan's exports to the region will expand.
Mohammad Yunus Momand, the First Deputy of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: "Saffron traders have become capable, and our top two companies, which had the best exports, received the annual award. We strive to extend Afghan saffron to the entire world."
Previously, Afghan saffron was recognized as the world's highest quality saffron for the ninth time in a global competition by the International Taste Institute based in Belgium.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock stated that Afghanistan, as the second-largest saffron producer in the world, is expected to harvest nearly fifty tons of saffron this year.