Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the world’s most expensive spice, selling for about $30 per gram and offering the potential for over $50,000 per acre under optimized production systems. Its high value, low water needs, and natural adaptability to semi‑arid climates make it a strong specialty‑crop candidate for New Mexico. 

At the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, Dr. Saeid Zehtab Salmasi began saffron (Crocus sativus L.) trials in 2023 in open fields and hoop houses, and the crop performed well each season through 2025, confirming its viability in northern New Mexico.

To evaluate saffron’s potential statewide, a coordinated three‑location trial was established in 2025 at Alcalde, the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center, and the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center in La Mesa, expanding research across northern, central, and southern New Mexico and allowing performance comparisons under diverse climate conditions. This expanded effort is supported by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through the project “Integrating Saffron into Small Vegetable Production Systems of New Mexico to Enhance Profitability and Sustainability.”

“Diversifying toward high‑value, low‑input crops can strengthen economic and environmental resilience for northern New Mexico farmers,” Zehtab Salmasi said.

For further information, contact Saeid Zehtab Salmasi (saeidzs@nmsu.edu).