KABUL, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan has exported 22.13 tons of saffron worth 30.035 million U.S. dollars from its western Herat province over the past eight months, local media outlet Tolonews reported Monday night.

Quoting the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the private media outlet said the high-quality saffron, locally known as "Red Gold," has been exported to Australia, European countries, the U.S., the United Arab Emirates, and Central Asian nations.

Herat, regarded as the hub of saffron cultivation, harvested more than 40 tons of the spice this year, according to the report.

Post-war Afghanistan's main export items include saffron, dried and fresh fruits, hand-woven carpets, medicinal herbs, and traditional handicrafts. Enditem