Saffron Harvest Begins

Saffron Harvest Underway Saffron flowers have bloomed in Safranbolu district of Karabük, where they are grown and used in numerous sectors including paints and coatings, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients. Saffron producer İsmail Yılmaz stated: "Flowering began in our field from the start of planting. The harvest will continue for 40 days. I am expecting a good harvest season." Saffron, predominantly cultivated in Safranbolu district of Karabük and referred to as a "miracle plant," is planted annually in August and produces purple-colored, fragrant flowers in October-November. Standing 15-30 centimeters tall, it is produced by approximately 20 farmers across 53 decares in the district. Saffron flowers are being harvested, with the plant serving as a raw material in numerous sectors including paints and coatings, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, with a target yield of 25 kilograms this year. Capable of dyeing liquid 100,000 times its own weight yellow, and yielding only half a kilogram of product from 80,000 flowers, saffron sells at TRY 50,000–60,000 per kilogram. İsmail Yılmaz, who cultivates saffron in Keten district of Yukarıçiftlik village, said the harvest began 15 days earlier this year due to early cold weather. Noting that the region received adequate rainfall, Yılmaz stated: "Flowering began in our field from the start of planting. The saffron harvest will continue for 40 days. I am expecting a good harvest season. I cultivate saffron across 25 decares and expect to harvest over 20 kilograms of product." Yılmaz reminded that the Saffron Festival will be held on 22-24 October.