US Iran measures put Spain’s saffron trade under scrutiny
Potential US action against Iran’s trading partners could affect Spanish saffron processors and exporters, while domestic production limits the immediate risk to paella.
Spain’s saffron trade is facing uncertainty after the United States threatened an “economic onslaught” against Iran’s trading partners, Al Jazeera Global News reports.
Spain relies heavily on Iran for saffron and serves as a major European gateway for the spice. Spanish companies import, process, package, brand and distribute Iranian saffron to international markets.
Spanish government figures cited by Al Jazeera put saffron imports from Iran at $61 million in 2025, more than 40 per cent of Spain’s imports from the country. Spain exported goods worth $143 million to Iran and imported $141 million, according to the same figures.
The potential impact remains unclear because Washington has not specified how it would penalise all of Iran’s trade partners. US sanctions announced against Turkiye’s Golden Global Bank, which Washington accuses of facilitating Iranian funds, have raised questions about whether financial intermediaries or other businesses could face enforcement.
The uncertainty may be more significant for Spanish firms involved in processing and international distribution than for consumers. Maria Naranjo, director for agrifoods at Spain’s state trade and investment body ICEX, said any disruption to trade flows would not necessarily cause a shortage in Spain.
Spain also grows saffron in Castilla-La Mancha, meaning domestic production currently limits the risk to supplies used in paella. The effect on Spanish companies, shipments and financial channels will depend on the measures ultimately announced by the United States.
