Turkish Grower Reports 15,000 Saffron Bulbs in a Small Indoor Growing Area
A grower in Kayseri reported cultivating 15,000 saffron bulbs in a 16-square-metre indoor area and planning further expansion.
VerticalFarmDaily reported on October 29, 2026, that Mustafa Demir in Kayseri, Türkiye, had grown 15,000 saffron bulbs using soil-free and vertical cultivation methods in a 16-square-metre indoor growing area. The grower had previously tested saffron in pots and in an open-field setting before moving production indoors.
The small project illustrates interest in high-value crops that can justify tightly controlled growing spaces. Demir said he intends to expand production in the coming year and is considering additional medicinal and aromatic crops, including thyme and lavender.
The reported bulb count is not a measure of harvested saffron weight, net income or verified yields. Indoor cultivation of saffron also requires attention to bulb preparation, flowering conditions and post-harvest handling. The case is best presented as a grower-reported production example and an expansion intention, not evidence that every similar facility will achieve the same results.
Original source: VerticalFarmDaily, 2026-10-29. https://www.verticalfarmdaily.com/article/9885904/turkey-growing-saffron-vertically-in-the-face-of-criticism-and-doubt/