Iranian women sort through stigmas from saffron crocus flowers before they are packaged at the Novin Saffron processing and packing facility in Mashad, 950km (590 miles) east of Tehran, in this November 6, 2006 file photo. The spice saffron is derived from these flowers. Iran, which usually accounts for about 90 percent of world saffron output, is far from losing its dominant position as a producer but traders say it must improve marketing and find new customers if it wants to secure a bigger slice of the profits from saffron sales and keep farmers growing the crop. Picture taken November 6, 2006 To match feature IRAN-SAFFRON/
REUTERS/CAREN FIROUZ