Saffron Agronomy and Technology
In collaboration Iranian Medicinal Plants Society

Evaluating the Comparative Advantage of Iranian Provinces in Saffron Production

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mehdi Hosseinpour Naderi 1
Mohsen Salehi Komroudi 2

1 PhD in Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics, Payam Noor University of Iran, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD in Agricultural Economics, The Research Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Semnan, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22048/jsat.2025.517898.1561
Abstract
Identifying the relative advantage of products is necessary for the implementation of spatial planning policies and achieving the optimal cropping pattern in different regions of the country. It is especially important to identify the capacity of different provinces in the production of saffron (as an export product) to increase the production and export of these products with the least possible cost. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to investigate the relative regional advantage of damask saffron production in Iran. In this study, in order to measure the regional relative advantage of Iran's provinces, spatial coefficient (LQ) and symmetrical spatial coefficient (SLQ) indexes have been calculated with the data of year 2016-2023 and for three different production baskets. The results showed that the provinces of South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, and North Khorasan have had a relative advantage in all years of the study (stable advantage). The provinces of Isfahan, Ilam, East Azerbaijan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Khuzestan, Semnan, Fars, Kerman, Kermanshah, Golestan, Lorestan, Hamedan, and Yazd have reached a relative advantage in some years of the study, and in some other years they have not had a relative advantage (fragile relative advantage). The results showed that the provinces of South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, and North Khorasan have had a relative advantage in all years of the study (stable advantage). The provinces of Isfahan, Ilam, East Azerbaijan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Khuzestan, Semnan, Fars, Kerman, Kermanshah, Golestan, Lorestan, Hamedan, and Yazd have reached a relative advantage in some years of the study, and in some other years they have not had a relative advantage (fragile relative advantage). According to the results, it is recommended that provinces whose comparative advantage has been proven in this study focus on saffron production and implement appropriate production, promotion, and educational programs to promote the production and cultivation of these products. Other provinces that do not have a comparative advantage should focus more on other products in which they have a comparative advantage in the short term.

Keywords

Competitive Advantage
Cultivation Pattern
Medicinal Plants
Saffron
Spatial Coefficient Index
Subjects
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