The prized spice saffron from Iran could soon vanish from store shelves in Russia as tensions and conflict in the Middle East disrupt supply routes.

The new shipments of Iranian saffron are no longer arriving. Businesses are currently selling off their remaining winter stocks, raising concerns about looming shortages, The Caspian Post reports via Russian media.

Traders say prices are already climbing. At the moment, saffron in Russia sells for around 350-700 rubles per gram, while premium Iranian varieties can reach 1,800 rubles per gram. If supply disruptions continue, sellers warn the price could surge to as much as 2,500 rubles per gram in the near future.

Under normal circumstances, Iranian saffron is delivered to Russia through transit hubs in Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan. However, the ongoing regional crisis has complicated logistics and trade flows, threatening the availability of one of the world’s most expensive spices on the Russian market.

If the situation persists, analysts say the disruption could reshape the spice trade and drive prices sharply higher for consumers across Russia.