TEHRAN -- Misinformation about Iran’s saffron will not be effective, however, Japan supports imports of high-quality saffron from Iran, an official with Japan’s embassy in Iran said.

In his visit of the largest saffron processing and packaging plant in Iran’s northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi, the Japanese official expressed his satisfaction over the private sector’s achievements in the industrial progresses made in the region.

The Japanese envoy in Tehran called for the enhancement of the packaging industry for Iran’s saffron exports and said that Iran’s saffron was presented in Japan inside Spanish packages. He also expressed his readiness for the expansion of cooperation in the field between the two countries.

Commenting on the medical properties of saffron, he stated that consumption of only three grams of saffron was significant in maintaining good health.

He added that grounds are ready in Japan’s markets to annually attract 360 tons of Iran’s saffron, the Persian service of ISNA news agency reported here on Sunday.

Shortage of the special centers for processing and storage has had a significant impact on the production of the precious product. However, two centers for purchase, processing and storage have recently been set up in Mashhad - the capital city of Khorasan Razavi, the nation’s major saffron production province.

Coming second only to pistachio, saffron constitutes the nation’s most important non-oil export. Iran ranks first in the world production of the condiment, with 80 percent of the world yield.