Chinese businessmen and investors, who visited the area of Kozani in the northern Greek Region of Macedonia Monday morning, showed great interest in Greek saffron and other regional agricultural products.
The Chinese delegation, led by the Secretary-General of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, visited the area after an invitation by the Greek mayor of Kozani, Lazaros Maloutas. The Greek administrative authorities received the Chinese businessmen at the local town hall, where they informed them about the agricultural products of the region.
During their visit of the Cooperative of Saffron premises, the businessman showed great interest in learning more about this unique Greek product. Saffron producers briefed the delegation on the “Krokos Kozanis,” as the Greek red saffron is called, on its beneficial qualities and made a special reference to the product’s jump in exports that has been achieved in recent years.
The visitors didn’t neglect to discuss a potential cooperative framework between China and Greek saffron producers and even bought a large amount of saffron for sampling.
Saffron is long among the world’s most expensive spices by weight. It is derived from the flower of the saffron crocus. The flower is native to Greece and Southwest Asia and was first cultivated in Ancient Greece. In 2005, Greece produced a total of 5.7t, ranking second after Iran among saffron producing countries.
Saffron is widely used in Indian, Persian, European, Arab, and Turkish cuisines. It has a long medicinal history as part of traditional healing. Several modern research studies have hinted that the spice has possible cancer-suppressing, mutation-preventing and antioxidant-like properties.
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