The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival, taking place at the Prince Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka until January 12, highlights the flourishing olive industry in the Al-Jouf region, which boasts over 23 million olive trees producing more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually.
This immersive event traces the olive’s journey from cultivation to its final product, offering visitors a comprehensive look at the region’s agricultural prowess. Featuring 43 local farmers and five agricultural companies, the festival showcases premium olive oil, table olives, and various related products.
All showcased products are competitively priced and comply with rigorous food safety standards, verified through extensive testing at Al-Jouf’s municipal laboratory. These tests cover seven critical factors—acidity, rancidity, moisture, chemical composition, oil blending, taste, and authenticity—ensuring that products meeting the standards are awarded a certification label, guaranteeing consumer trust, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
In addition to its agricultural focus, the festival has become a significant tourism and economic hub for both the Kingdom and the Al-Jouf region, attracting considerable interest from visitors and investors.
The event also supports local families, small businesses, and entrepreneurs by providing spaces to showcase their products, fostering growth and expanding their consumer base.
Cultural heritage is another key highlight, with the festival featuring traditional Saudi Ardah performances, folk art, Sadu weaving, poetry recitals, plastic arts, cultural evenings, and displays of traditional attire, celebrating the rich diversity of Saudi traditions.
