What to Verify Before Placing a Saffron Order
A short due-diligence list for a first-time buyer of a high-value spice.
A first saffron order is a test of the supplier as much as the product. These are the things worth settling in writing before any money moves.
The sample and the lot
Ask whether the sample is drawn from the lot you will receive, or is a representative sample of the same grade and crop. Both are legitimate; only one of them is what most buyers assume.
The report
A test report should name the lot, the date and the parameters. A report with no lot reference proves nothing about your consignment.
Crop year
Saffron does not spoil quickly but it fades. The crop year belongs in the specification.
Packing and labelling
Agree the inner pack, the carton, the net weight per unit and the label content — including anything your destination market requires by law.
Documents
Confirm which documents will accompany the shipment and which your customs broker needs in advance.
What a good supplier will not tell you
Their growers' names, their buying prices or their other customers. A supplier who discusses those about someone else will discuss yours with the next buyer.
Discuss your saffron requirement.
Tell us what you need. We reply within one business day.