# Saffron production and market in Turkey

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/saffron-production-and-market-in-turkey
> Updated: 2026-10-09T09:52:55.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Saffron production in Turkey remains a high-value, labor-intensive industry. In Izmit, Kocaeli, the high cost of the spice—reaching up to 900,000 TL per kilogram—is attributed to the manual process of collecting three red stigmas from approximately 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram. Due to its economic value, experts have warned against fraud involving ‘safflower’ being sold as authentic saffron.

As the harvest season begins in the Safranbolu district of Karabük, the selling price is noted at 800,000 TL per kilogram. Local production involves 51 farmers cultivating saffron across roughly 110 decares of land. The harvest period is expected to last between 40 and 45 days, and the region is set to host the 10th International Saffron Harvest Festival from November 1 to November 4.

## Claims

- The saffron harvest is expected to last between 40 and 45 days. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Mine Yılmaz's farm cultivates saffron on approximately 20 decares of land. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Saffron can dye a volume of liquid up to 100,000 times its own weight yellow. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The new season's saffron is priced at 800,000 TL per kilogram, or 800 TL per gram. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The 10th International Saffron Harvest Festival is scheduled for November 1-4. (single source)
- In the Safranbolu district, 51 farmers cultivate saffron across roughly 110 decares. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-09: Safranbolu saffron harvest begins with prices at 800,000 TL per kg

Saffron flowers have begun blooming in Safranbolu, Turkey. The new season's harvest is priced at 800,000 TL per kilogram and is expected to last approximately 45 days.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/safranbolu-saffron-harvest-begins-with-prices-at-800000-tl-per-kg

### 2026-09-19: Saffron prices reach 900,000 TL per kilogram due to labor-intensive production

Saffron prices can reach 900,000 TL per kilogram due to the intensive labor required to harvest 150,000 flowers for a single kilogram of the spice.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saffron-prices-reach-900000-tl-per-kilogram-due-to-labor-intensive-production

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Cite as: Saffron production and market in Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/saffron-production-and-market-in-turkey