Morocco overtakes Nigeria in $2bn spice market

…Ranks 4th in saffron (spice) production globally, while Nigeria’s potential stalls

Morocco, Africa’s fifth-largest economy, has outpaced Nigeria in the production and exports of saffron, the highly sought-after spice, edging Africa’s most populous nation out of a multi-billion-dollar market.

Experts believe that cultivating saffron could unlock a new era for Nigeria’s agriculture, given its high market value, proven health benefits, and far-reaching economic potential.

Often called ‘red gold,’ saffron is the world’s most expensive spice, selling for between $3,500 and $5,000 per kilogram at the global market. Morocco produces an estimated 6–7 tons annually, worth between $24.5 million and $35 million according to recent reports by Tridge.

In contrast, Nigeria,with similar climatic conditions that could support saffron cultivation, remains absent from this $2 billion global market. Experts blame low awareness, poor local demand, and a shortage of technical skills for Nigeria’s failure to commercialize the crop.

“Spices like saffron could generate millions of dollars for Nigeria, but without institutional support, technical skills and awareness, farmers lose interest in cultivating it,” stated Agbaji Chinedu, director of administration at the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, during a phone conversation with this reporter.

BusinessDay research confirms that saffron can thrive in Nigerian soils, yet cultivation is limited. A handful of farmers in Kaduna and Plateau states are only beginning to experiment with the crop.

“Saffron is widely celebrated across Europe, Asia, and North Africa for its culinary, medical, and cosmetic uses,”noted Abubakar Gani, an agribusiness analyst at Morganable.

“However, in Nigeria, its name barely escapes the shelves of imported goods,” he added.

Samuel Deshi, chief executive officer of Ritdung Integrated Farms in Plateau State, confirmed to BusinessDay that saffron cultivation is currently taking place on a very limited scale.

“We are currently experimenting with the crop using imported seedlings from Spain,” he said.

Although it is not yet harvest season, Deshi noted that the plants are showing promising signs.

Experts argue that Nigeria’s overreliance on oil has left vast agricultural opportunities untapped. With demand from the food, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries rising, saffron could help diversify Nigeria’s economy and create new income streams for farmers.

“Cultivating saffron is pure wealth. Knowledge and skills are the only barriers,” said Christian Anyaoha of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan.

For now, Morocco leads the way, turning a niche spice into hard currency. Nigeria, despite its vast agricultural land and potential, is watching from the sidelines, missing out on a golden opportunity.

Global market

The global saffron market is valued at $1.42 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand at a 6.4 percent CAGR, reaching $2 billion by 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence.

Iran dominates saffron production, accounting for 90 percent of global supply, with revenues of $351 million reported in 2018, World Bank data shows. India follows with 4.5 percent, while Morocco contributes 2 percent, cementing its position as Africa’s saffron leader.

Morocco produces around 6 tons annually, making it the fourth-largest producer globally as of 2020, after Iran, India and Greece. Cultivation is concentrated in just two southeastern provinces—Taliouine and Taroudant—yet the country earns recognition as the top saffron grower in Africa.

With rising demand from the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, saffron’s global market growth underscores the crop’s lucrative potential. For Nigeria, which shares similar climate conditions but lag behind in commercial cultivation, this is an opportunity that should not be overlooked, experts say.

Economics of ‘red gold’

Saffron is a perennial crop derived from the Crocus sativus flower, and it is propagated through its corms. After the first harvest, each parent corm produces two to three daughter corms, ensuring continuous regeneration of the crop.

Once established, saffron can be harvested on the same farm for up to 6.5 years, making it a long-term investment for farmers.

To cultivate one hectare, about three tons of corms are required. Yields typically range from 3.5 to 4 kilograms per hectare per season, depending on farm practices and growing conditions.

The crop thrives in temperate, elevated regions with well-drained clay soils. In Nigeria, experts identify areas such as Plateau, Kaduna, Cross River, and the Mambila Plateau in Taraba State as suitable environments for saffron farming.

With proper knowledge and support, these regions hold significant potential for Nigeria to join the global saffron market, where the spice is valued as the world’s most expensive cash crop.

Health benefits of saffron

Saffron contains crocin and safranal which are known for their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depressant properties.

It is widely used in tea, beverages, culinary dishes, and pharmaceuticals, with growing demand in the wellness and nutraceutical markets.

“It would be interesting to know that one of the major solutions to cancer could just be hidden in nature,” noted an environmental analyst, highlighting saffron’s emerging role in global health research.

As interest in natural remedies and functional foods expands, saffron continues to attract attention not only for its flavor and color but also for its therapeutic promise.

Challenges and way forward

Saffron may be the world’s most expensive spice, but experts warn that its labor intensive nature, climate risks, skill gaps and crop theft remain major barriers to its successful cultivation in Nigeria.

The crop is highly labor-demanding. To harvest one kilogram of saffron requires around 150,000 flowers, and managing a single hectare demands about 54 workers, each contributing more than 50 hours of labor.

“Saffron is a high-value crop, which makes it vulnerable to theft. The simplest safeguard is fencing,” explained Stan Edom, an agricultural value-chain expert and chief executive officer of Globexia.

Beyond labor and security, the biggest hurdle is awareness. Many Nigerian farmers assume saffron can only thrive in traditional growing regions such as Iran and India.

“There is a widespread lack of awareness about saffron’s adaptability to Nigeria’s agro-climatic conditions,” said Gani (earlier quoted).Limited technical knowledge and almost no institutional support further discourage farmers,” he added

Gani stressed that training and providing farmers with quality inputs could transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector, reduce rural poverty, and boost foreign-exchange earnings.

Awareness of saffron’s health benefits could also stimulate local demand, analysts say.

“Promoting saffron’s anti-cancer and wellness properties would attract new farmers, grow rural income, and expand domestic consumption,” noted Chinedu(earlier quoted).

Experts further call on research institutes and universities to conduct ongoing studies on soil and climate suitability in Nigeria’s highland regions to establish a scientific base for saffron farming.

Lessons from Morocco

Morocco’s saffron success journey began in Taliouine, where small-scale farmers cultivated Crocus sativus by tradition.

In 2010, the government launched its Green Morocco Plan, designating saffron as a priority sector and registering “Taliouine Saffron” to guarantee traceability and quality.

Modern irrigation, new equipment, and expanded cultivation increased production by about 50 percent according to the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture.

Through extension services and extensive awareness programs, registered farmers surged by 360 percent in 2014.

Today, Morocco holds a significant share of the global saffron market. According to Morocco World News, saffron is celebrated each November in Taliouine’s three-day harvest festival annually.