Latest news with #Saffricon
Time Out
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
SA's Red Gold: Why this saffron farmer is staying put
On a quaint patch of land just outside the Western Cape dorpie of Piketberg, a bold agricultural experiment is blooming. It's not wine, olives or citrus - but saffron, the world's most expensive spice, harvested delicately by hand from tiny purple crocus flowers. At the helm of this fragrant venture is Saffricon, a family-run business that's not just rewriting farming norms in the Western Cape but stitching social impact into every delicate petal. Founded by Bennie Engelbrecht, a former SuperSport backend producer turned saffron pioneer, Saffricon took root in 2013 after years of research and one big, hopeful question: 'Why can't we grow saffron here?' At around R250,000 to R300,000 per kilogram of saffron. Better known as 'red gold' - it takes roughly 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram of dried saffron threads, all harvested by hand, Bennie's son, Tiaan joined Time Out for an interview to share exactly how this fascinating business model has been taking off locally - this, as Bennie himself was deep into harvest season, sleeves rolled up and hands in the soil at the time. 'My dad grew up on a farm, and in his words, 'once the soil's under your skin, it doesn't leave you,' says the younger Engelbrecht with a shrug and a smile. 'He always wanted to farm again.' Cultivating Community, Not Just Crocus Saffricon's model is as rare as the spice they grow. Tiaan and his dad understand they're not about to dethrone the traditional saffron giants in Iran or Spain in terms of production volume - but they're not trying to. What they are doing is far more rooted: growing a hyper-local, high-impact industry in a country where sustainable agricultural opportunities are desperately needed. In a blind test conducted by a top multinational retaile r, Saffricon's saffron beat global benchmarks on flavour, colour, and aroma - earning ISO certification and international praise. As Tiaan puts it, 'We're not here to compete. We're here to build something sustainable, seasonal, and South African.' The magic lies in its timing. Saffron's peak harvest happens in winter—filling the employment gap left by the end of the Western Cape's summer citrus and grape seasons. 'We're able to come in and say, 'Here's work—right when you need it most.'' But jobs are just the start. Through their Saffron Incubation Program (SIPS), the team works closely with under-resourced communities - offering hands-on training, materials, soil testing, and mentorship. It's a measured, long-term approach - worlds away from the one-size-fits-all co-op models that often leave farmers stranded. 'Don't spend your pension on saffron,' Tiaan cautions. 'It's not a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a long game. But it can be life-changing.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiaan Engelbrecht (@ Homegrown, By Choice While the global opportunities might be on the table, Tiaan is clear, 'We love South Africa too much to leave.' Relocating from their initial location in Karoo to the Western Cape wasn't just about terroir, he adds, it was about viability. Saffron needs wet winters, dry summers, and sandy soil with good drainage. And it needs people. 'In citrus and table grape regions, things slow down in winter,' Tiaan explains. 'With saffron, we're able to come in during the off-season and say, 'Here's work - right when you need it most.'' The planting season starts in March or April, and harvest kicks off about 40 days later. You have just 24 hours from the flower's bloom to collect the delicate red stigmas before quality drops off. It's a process that's part science, part sprint, and entirely by hand. 'There's no machine that can harvest saffron the way a person can. It's intimate. You have to know what you're picking,' states Tiaan. In a world of extractive farming, Saffricon is cultivating something different: a model that's small-scale, community-first, and proudly rooted in South African soil. Your Slice of Saffron Starts at Home If you're a budding spice grower yourself, Saffricon has an offering for you. Their Gardener Pack i ncludes 10 starter corms (bulb-like roots) retails at R250, ideal for windowsills and small gardens. Perfect for Cape Town's artisanal growers or curious foodies, it's a bite-sized way to get involved. For more serious growers, the Trial Pack priced at R17,250 includes enough corms for a 20-square-metre plot, along with fertilizers, soil and leaf analysis, a grower's manual, and access to Saffricon's advisory support. It's designed to be the first step in building a small-scale farming business with high-value output and minimal land requirements. 'Our advice? Start small. See what works. Then build,' states Tiann, 'We've seen people go from 10 corms to 80 in a few years. It's quite incredible.' Where to Find Saffron in Cape Town While the farm itself isn't open for day visits just yet (they're working on it!), you can find Saffricon saffron and other artisanal saffron-infused products at Cape Town's beloved weekend spots: These are your best bet for taking home a vial of the prized golden threads or your own starter kit. The Bottom Line Cape Town may not have saffron in its culinary DNA just yet, but thanks to Saffricon, that's changing one corm at a time. What started as a retirement project has become a generational mission: to reimagine farming, empower communities, and prove that even the world's most luxurious spice can have humble, hopeful beginnings. As Tiaan puts it, 'It's not easy. But it's worth it.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saffricon South Africa (@saffricon)
Kuwait Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
New to South Africa, saffron holds promise
GRAAFF REINET: Livestock farmer Joe Kroon turned to saffron in desperation when drought threatened his livelihood and, as this season's harvest winds down, he is encouraged by the potential of a new entry into South Africa's farming catalogue. 'Every year that we've planted, it's got better and better,' said Kroon, who started growing the world's most expensive spice, mostly associated with Iran and Afghanistan, around five years ago with corms imported from The Netherlands. With around one hectare under cultivation at his farm near the town of Graaf Reinet in the dry Karoo region, Kroon is among the few South African farmers pioneering cultivation of the delicate purple crocus and its precious red threads. 'Animals were dying and there's no help from the government so I had to find other means of making an income. I started researching and one of the things that came up was saffron,' he told AFP. 'It sort of exponentially grows each year,' he said. 'At the end of this year, we're going to lift the crop and replant a bigger area.' His partner, Ross Blakeway, expects this season's yield could reach about six kilograms (13 pounds), around double the amount of last year. It takes about 150,000 flowers to collect a kilogram of threads. GRAAFF REINET: South African saffron farmer Joe Kroon picks saffron flowers during harvesting in a field of saffron flowers, at his farm on the outskirts of Graaff-Reinet. - AFP Porcupines and rabbits Blakeway said output of their Karoo Saffron partnership is only for the domestic market, including local chefs and as an ingredient in a sauce and a Pure Karoo health range, although there had been some interest from Europe. And while there is promise for South African saffron, it is not a 'get rich quick', he said. The corms are expensive and, 'it's popular amongst the porcupines and rabbits, so you really have to protect your land,' he said. Saffricon, which says it is the largest commercial producer in South Africa with seven hectares, also began cultivation around five years ago. In the process of finding the correct conditions, Saffricon moved several times before settling in the Piketberg area in the Western Cape, said the company's production coordinator, Tiaan Engelbrecht. The company - which also shares advice and trial packs to potential cultivators, from domestic gardeners to commercial farmers - wants to build volume for local saffron to become a worthwhile export. 'It's been met with a lot of hope for being able to diversify the crops that are available in the country, especially for people who have smaller plots,' Engelbrecht said, although there had been some scepticism too. 'It's just been absolutely wonderful to see people still being excited about growing the agriculture industry and being excited about new things,' he said. — AFP
The South African
31-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
SA cultivates world's most expensive spice with 'jaw-dropping' returns for farmers
Saffron – the world's most expensive spice – is being farmed in the Northern Cape on a small scale. But the returns are mind-boggling. Spearheaded by pioneers like Saffricon, this spicy venture promises not only substantial financial rewards but also a chance to revitalise drought-stricken agricultural landscapes. Livestock farmer Joe Kroon, from the arid Karoo region near Graaf Reinet, turned to saffron five years ago out of desperation when severe drought threatened his livelihood, and government offered no assistance. Importing corms (bulbs) from The Netherlands, he began cultivating the delicate purple flower, whose red stigmas form the precious spice. 'Every year that we've planted, it's got better and better,' said Kroon. 'It sort of exponentially grows each year.' Kroon's partner, Ross Blakeway, now expects their season yield reach about six kilogrammes. The world's most expensive spice, mostly associated with Iran and Afghanistan, is highly-prized in the culinary world and often used in Indian cuisine. Each saffron flower yields only three threads, and it takes about 150 000 flowers to produce just one kilogram. The threads have to be hand-picked, making cultivation highly labour-intensive. The returns however are jaw-dropping, according to Bennie Engelbrecht, founder of Saffricon. One kilogram of high-grade saffron can fetch up to R200 000, with a retail price in South Africa as high as R250 000/kg. Engelbrecht has spent the last seven years perfecting the art of growing this exotic spice on the dry plains between Williston and Calvinia. Saffricon is the largest commercial producer in South Africa, with seven hectares of saffron crops in the Piketberg area of the Western Cape. And now they're ready to share their secret. 'This country really needs something that can turn people's lives around,' said Engelbrecht. 'Saffron can be planted on a small piece of land and could potentially change your life.' Saffricon if offering interested contract farmers a three-year outgrower programme. It includes: Saffron corms (bulbs) supplied to farmers Training and ongoing support Guaranteed buyback of both threads and multiplied corms Rapid returns: plants flower in just 40 days after planting The labour-intensive nature of saffron farming also makes it a great source of job creation. One of the major perks of growing saffron in South Africa is that it uses very little water. While maize or wheat requires 500–800mm of water per season, saffron needs just 250–300mm. 'Saffron grows in areas where other crops fail,' added project partner Corné Liebenberg. 'This is a real opportunity for emerging farmers who want a niche crop with export potential.' This 'wonder plant' has no wastage either. The threads are a spice, and the petals go into medicine and cosmetics. The corms (bulbs) of the world's most expensive spice meanwhile are the farmers' asset as they multiply underground. What's more, saffron crops are frost- and hail- resistant too. For interested farmers, the message is clear: saffron offers a golden opportunity to cultivate a high-value, resilient crop with the potential for transformative financial returns. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
30-05-2025
- Business
- eNCA
New to South Africa, saffron holds promise
Livestock farmer Joe Kroon turned to saffron in desperation when drought threatened his livelihood and, as this season's harvest winds down, he is encouraged by the potential of a new entry into South Africa's farming catalogue. "Every year that we've planted, it's got better and better," said Kroon, who started growing the world's most expensive spice, mostly associated with Iran and Afghanistan, around five years ago with corms imported from The Netherlands. With around one hectare under cultivation at his farm near the town of Graaf Reinet in the dry Karoo region, Kroon is among the few South African farmers pioneering cultivation of the delicate purple crocus and its precious red threads. "Animals were dying and there's no help from the government so I had to find other means of making an income. I started researching and one of the things that came up was saffron," he told AFP. "It sort of exponentially grows each year," he said. "At the end of this year, we're going to lift the crop and replant a bigger area." His partner, Ross Blakeway, expects this season's yield could reach about six kilogrammes, around double the amount of last year. It takes about 150,000 flowers to collect a kilogram of threads. - Porcupines and rabbits - AFP | GIANLUIGI GUERCIA Blakeway said output of their Karoo Saffron partnership is only for the domestic market, including local chefs and as an ingredient in a sauce and a Pure Karoo health range, although there had been some interest from Europe. And while there is promise for South African saffron, it is not a "get rich quick", he said. The corms are expensive and, "it's popular amongst the porcupines and rabbits, so you really have to protect your land," he said. Saffricon, which says it is the largest commercial producer in South Africa with seven hectares, also began cultivation around five years ago. In the process of finding the correct conditions, Saffricon moved several times before settling in the Piketberg area in the Western Cape, said the company's production coordinator, Tiaan Engelbrecht. AFP | GIANLUIGI GUERCIA The company -- which also shares advice and trial packs to potential cultivators, from domestic gardeners to commercial farmers -- wants to build volume for local saffron to become a worthwhile export. "It's been met with a lot of hope for being able to diversify the crops that are available in the country, especially for people who have smaller plots," Engelbrecht said, although there had been some scepticism too. "It's just been absolutely wonderful to see people still being excited about growing the agriculture industry and being excited about new things," he said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New to South Africa, saffron holds promise
New to South Africa, saffron holds promise (AI- Generated Image) GRAAFF REINET: Livestock farmer Joe Kroon turned to saffron in desperation when drought threatened his livelihood and, as this season's harvest winds down, he is encouraged by the potential of a new entry into South Africa's farming catalogue. "Every year that we've planted, it's got better and better," said Kroon, who started growing the world's most expensive spice, mostly associated with Iran and Afghanistan, around five years ago with corms imported from The Netherlands. With around one hectare (2.5 acres) under cultivation at his farm near the town of Graaf Reinet in the dry Karoo region, Kroon is among the few South African farmers pioneering cultivation of the delicate purple crocus and its precious red threads. "Animals were dying and there's no help from the government so I had to find other means of making an income. I started researching and one of the things that came up was saffron," he told AFP. "It sort of exponentially grows each year," he said. "At the end of this year, we're going to lift the crop and replant a bigger area." His partner, Ross Blakeway, expects this season's yield could reach about six kilogrammes (13 pounds), around double the amount of last year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo It takes about 150,000 flowers to collect a kilogramme of threads. - Porcupines and rabbits - Blakeway said output of their Karoo Saffron partnership is only for the domestic market, including local chefs and as an ingredient in a sauce and a Pure Karoo health range, although there had been some interest from Europe. And while there is promise for South African saffron, it is not a "get rich quick", he said. The corms are expensive and, "it's popular amongst the porcupines and rabbits, so you really have to protect your land," he said. Saffricon, which says it is the largest commercial producer in South Africa with seven hectares, also began cultivation around five years ago. In the process of finding the correct conditions, Saffricon moved several times before settling in the Piketberg area in the Western Cape, said the company's production coordinator, Tiaan Engelbrecht. The company -- which also shares advice and trial packs to potential cultivators, from domestic gardeners to commercial farmers -- wants to build volume for local saffron to become a worthwhile export. "It's been met with a lot of hope for being able to diversify the crops that are available in the country, especially for people who have smaller plots," Engelbrecht said, although there had been some scepticism too. "It's just been absolutely wonderful to see people still being excited about growing the agriculture industry and being excited about new things," he said.
