I am Mohammad Salehi, the founder and co-owner of Heray Spice. I grew up in a farming family in Herat, Afghanistan. Like most other Afghans, my family has been farming for many generations. In Afghanistan, agriculture is the main source of income for 80% of the population. My family farms six acres in the Pashtoon Zarghon district of Herat in western Afghanistan. Since 2007, we have been cultivating saffron on our farm. Before that we grew barley, potatoes and spinach. Herat province is the main source of saffron with more than 90% of Afghanistan’s saffron cultivated and exported out of this region.
Growing up, I noticed the struggles of my family and other family farmers, who made very little money from their crops. Even making a basic living from farming is not attainable.
Right out of high school, I got a job working for the US Military as a cultural advisor and linguist. Four years later, I applied for a visa to come to the United States, immigrating from Kabul to Chicago in September 2014.
In 2022, we conducted a survey of 300 farmers in Afghanistan, India and Sri Lanka. We learned that farmers in the spice supply chain earn less than 7% of the retail price for the products they grow. For example, when you buy a jar of spices for $10 in a grocery store, less than $0.70 of that goes to a farmer.
Sharing saffron, spices and stories
I believe that farmers do valuable work. It is not fair that the people who grow our food do not earn enough to support themselves. I wanted to change that, and I wanted to stay connected to my home country. I started Heray Spice to share farmers' stories and help them with fair wages and a better living.
I founded Heray Space in 2017, while I was in college. Heray Spice is more than a brand for me, it is a platform and a cooperative of farmers. We are here to help them make better income while supplying the freshest spices to the world.
Our mission is rooted in rebuilding Afghanistan’s agricultural economy. After decades of conflict, the region needs new opportunities for growth and recovery. By creating a spice company centered around Afghanistan’s world-renowned saffron and other spices, we are not only showcasing the finest saffron to the global market but also empowering the local farmers of Afghanistan.
We are a fair-trade company, and the spices we import are produced with sustainable farming methods. I believe we can help the farmers and support better community development. I founded this company to offer the highest quality products while honoring the deep cultural heritage of Afghanistan and agriculture.
Through saffron, Heray Spice offers a window into Afghanistan that is often overlooked — a land of hope, resilience, and endless potential. Afghan saffron has been recognized as the world’s highest quality saffron for the ninth time by the prestigious International Taste Institute in Belgium. Competing against saffron from Spain, Iran, and other major saffron producers, Afghanistan’s saffron consistently takes home the top honors. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the farmers, the meticulous attention to detail in the processing and the quality of the soil and climate in Herat.
Our saffron is used by Michelin-starred chefs, food enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers alike. In the last year alone, Afghanistan exported nearly 30 tons of saffron, with Heray Spice contributing significantly to this figure. Our saffron has made its way to the kitchens of homes and restaurants across the globe, from the United States to India, Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Why non-GMO matters
The decision to be non-GMO is more than a marketing stance; it’s about preserving food integrity and the environment.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) can negatively impact biodiversity, soil health and the purity of agricultural processes. Afghanistan’s saffron farming is a time-honored tradition that remains untainted by synthetic modifications, making it crucial to maintain this natural purity.
By adhering to non-GMO practices, we uphold the integrity of the saffron, ensuring consumers get the most authentic, naturally-grown product.
One of Heray Spice’s core values is ensuring Afghan farmers receive a fair wage for their saffron harvest. Historically, these farmers were vulnerable to middlemen who offered low prices, making it difficult for them to support their families. By partnering directly with local farmers, Heray Spice cut out the intermediaries and ensured that the revenue stayed within the local communities.
The company invests in training farmers in sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring that the land is preserved for future generations and that the quality of the saffron is never compromised. Heray Spice believes that the strength of its saffron comes not just from the soil, but from the people who cultivate it with care and dedication.
Our Verified products
In a world where food integrity is increasingly under threat, we understand the importance of preserving natural agricultural processes.
Heray Spice’s main product, Afghan saffron, is not just known for its exceptional quality but also for being Non-GMO Project Verified. Saffron is cultivated across 26 provinces, with nearly 90% grown in Herat. Afghan saffron is celebrated globally and has been judged the highest quality saffron by International Taste & Quality of Brussels for the last nine years in a row.
In addition to saffron, Heray Spice offers a selection of spice blends and products that maintain our commitment to sustainability, fair trade and natural cultivation methods. These Non-GMO Project Verified products symbolize our dedication to food safety, authenticity and traditional farming.
Heray Spice also prioritizes transparency in the supply chain, giving customers confidence that their saffron is ethically-sourced and of the highest quality. This focus on transparency has become a cornerstone of the brand’s ethos, helping build a loyal customer base globally.
Visit Heray Spice to explore our range of Non-GMO Project Verified saffron and other fresh spices. Learn more about our sustainable farming practices and support Afghan farmers today!
This guest post is written by Heray Spice.