What started as a bold idea in a dusty field is now an industry shaking up South Africa’s agricultural landscape. Saffron is now being grown in South Africa!!!

Western Cape, South Africa (24 May 2025) – Every now and then, a story comes along that makes you stop, smile, and think, yes, this is the kind of innovation we need more of! That happened this week when Oranjezicht City Farm and Market shared a brilliant post about a man named Bennie Engelbrecht and his incredible local initiative… and suddenly, saffron is on everyone’s lips.

Yes, saffron. That delicate golden-red spice that feels more like treasure than seasoning.

The world’s most expensive spice is now being grown (successfully) right here in South Africa. In the dry, sun-scorched soil between Williston and Calvinia, on land that most had written off for anything other than sheep farming, a revolution is quietly blooming.

And it all started with a dream.

Back in 2013, Bennie Engelbrecht founded Saffricon, driven by an idea that might’ve sounded impossible at the time: what if South Africa could become a player in the global saffron market?

Bennie did his homework. He spent years researching why saffron, which thrives in Mediterranean climates, hadn’t taken off here yet. What he uncovered was surprising: not only could it grow here, it could flourish. Especially in areas devastated by drought.

The Karoo, particularly the Hantam region, became the heart of this project. A place that, in the Khoi language, literally means “where the red bulbs grow.” Fitting, right?

Historically, the local economy was built around sheep. But with an eight-year drought strangling farms and leaving communities desperate, it was clear: something had to change. Saffron, it turned out, could be that change.

“This country really needs something that can turn people’s lives around,” says Bennie. “Saffron can be planted on a small piece of land and could potentially change your life.”

You only need a quarter of a hectare to start. And the potential return is as much as R250,000 per kilogram at retail. Yes, you read that right. A single kilo of this so-called “red gold” could put food on the table, fund a child’s education, or help a struggling family get back on their feet.

But it’s not just about the cash crop… it’s about the community.

Saffricon has launched an empowering Outgrower Programme, a three-year initiative designed to bring emerging and rural farmers into the saffron economy. The model includes:

• Free saffron corms (bulbs)
• Hands-on training and mentorship
• Guaranteed buyback of both threads and corms
• Fast-growing plants — flowers appear just 40 days after planting
• Job creation through labour-intensive harvesting

Add to that the fact that saffron only needs 250–300mm of water a year, compared to 500–800mm for crops like maize or wheat, and you’ve got a water-wise solution tailor-made for South Africa’s climate. And the beauty of saffron doesn’t stop at its value. Every part of the plant has a purpose. The vibrant threads are used in cooking, the petals are used in cosmetics and medicine, and the corms multiply underground, becoming the farmer’s lasting asset.

It’s a crop made for resilience. Frost-resistant. Hail-resistant. And because the valuable part is underground, it’s less vulnerable to theft, a serious challenge for many South African farmers.

Corné Liebenberg of Laeveld Agrochem, a project partner, says it best: “Saffron grows in areas where other crops fail. This is a real opportunity – not only for big farms but also for smallholders looking for something new, something with real potential.”

The global demand for saffron already outstrips supply. South Africa has the climate, the skills, and, thanks to people like Bennie, the vision. All we need now is awareness and support. Thankfully, posts like those of the Oranjezicht City Farm and Market are doing just that!

The internet loved this story as much as we did… and the comments say it all.

“Such an awe-inspiring story & a blessing for South Africa. When people work together & share knowledge they can create great things.”

“Congratulations Bennie Engelbrecht!! Phenomenal good and uplifting news. Wow, we need you multiplied infinitely. Brilliant initiative and thank you for perseverance and appetite for new innovative crops. Feel good story!!”

“This is definitely good news and a wonderful initiative that can create employment opportunities in rural areas. Great job.”

This weekend, Bennie and the Saffricon team are showcasing their beautiful, locally-grown saffron at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market in Cape Town. And if you’re in the area, go. Ask questions. See the product. Support something extraordinary that’s growing in our own backyard.

This isn’t just about spice. It’s about resilience. It’s about innovation. And most importantly, it’s about South Africans finding new ways to thrive, even when the odds are stacked against them.

Because sometimes, the most powerful things grow from the hardest ground…  and sometimes, they bloom purple.

Sources: Saffricon South Africa | Oranjezicht City Farm and Market 

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