A landmark Stakeholders Coordination Meeting was held in Herat province, bringing together key players in Afghanistan’s saffron sector to celebrate a major milestone in the “Organic Growth: Taking Afghanistan’s Certified Saffron Value Chain to Scale” project, on July 13, 2025. The event, attended by representatives of Afghan Saffron Union, Saffron Companies, national and international NGOs, and development partners, marked the official awarding of EU Organic Certification to two Afghan saffron companies, a first for the region.
The project funded by DANIDA under the Danida Market Development Program (DMDP) and implemented by Hand in Hand Afghanistan Organization (HIHAO) with support from Hand in Hand International (HIHI) since 2021, the project has helped seven saffron companies elevate their quality standards through international certifications. Recently, two of them; Afghan Royal Saffron Company (ARS) and Afghanistan Red Gold Saffron Company (ARG) have successfully achieved full EU Organic Certification, enabling them to access premium international markets with traceable, high-quality saffron.
The coordination meeting brought together 66 participants from official and professional address, including representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Department of Economy, the Afghanistan Saffron Union and Saffron Companies. In addition to celebrating the certification milestone, the meeting reviewed the project’s progress, discussed lessons learned, and set the path forward for market linkages and sustainability.
“This milestone is not just a certification, it’s a gateway to global recognition, higher incomes, and long-term credibility for Afghan saffron,” said Dr. Ahmad Kamran Hekmati, Executive Director of HIHAO.
The project has also supported five additional companies in achieving ISO 22000 for food safety certifications, and contributed to the creation of 2,730 jobs for saffron farmers and processors, reinforcing its impact on rural livelihoods.
With these achievements, Afghanistan takes a confident step toward becoming a recognized player in the international saffron market rooted in quality, compliance, and collaboration. Afghanistan’s saffron is earning global recognition for its exceptional quality and purity. With EU Organic and ISO certifications now in place, the country is positioning itself as a trusted supplier in premium international markets. This progress marks a proud step toward global saffron leadership.
