Iranian Saffron Trapped in the Currency Policy Maze
According to Ali‑Mohammad Shariati‑Moghaddam, member of the Board of Representatives at the Iran Chamber of Commerce, the country’s currency policies have created structural barriers that continue to harm saffron exports.
In an interview with Eghtesad Moaser (Contemporary Economy), he discussed the impact of unilateral governmental and central bank currency directives introduced since 2018, which have caused legal gaps and distortions in export performance.
He explained that flaws in the calculation of base export prices and foreign‑exchange obligations have placed legitimate exporters under severe pressure.
“Exporting,” Shariati‑Moghaddam emphasized, “is a specialized and continuous activity—it should not be treated as a temporary or opportunistic transaction. Unfortunately, poorly designed regulations have misled many exporters and weakened their competitive edge.”
The senior trade representative also pointed to issues involving commodity smuggling and the misuse of single‑use commercial cards, noting that such practices undermine genuine exporters and gradually push them out of the market.
Shariati‑Moghaddam commented on the recently launched Commercial Currency Exchange System, stating that it too has failed to resolve exporters’ currency challenges, particularly regarding goods like saffron, which should be priced according to the free market exchange rate rather than controlled rates.
As Chairman of the Saffron Export Development Fund, he stressed the need for a strategic shift in currency allocation, saying:
“Instead of allocating foreign currency for imports, it is crucial to create mechanisms that allow exporters to purchase currency at the daily market rate so their challenges can be effectively addressed.”
He concluded by urging policymakers to carry out a complete review of existing currency policies, arguing that the government must stop restricting export pathways and instead empower authentic exporters to compete confidently in global markets.
Original Title: Iranian Saffron Trapped in the Currency Policy Maze
Source: Eghtesad Moaser (Contemporary Economy)
Publication Date: August 12, 2025
Original Link: https://vista.ir/n/eghtesademoaser-scta1
