Al-jouf: Olive presses in Al-Jouf Region have commenced their annual production, focusing on producing olive oil and pressed olives for both local and international markets. This marks the beginning of a bustling season for agricultural enterprises and projects in the area.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Mohammed Al-Fadel, chairman of a local multipurpose cooperative association, emphasized the association's commitment to scaling up production to meet the region's rising output. He announced that the association has recently enhanced its press with cutting-edge Italian technology, boosting its capacity from 18 tons to 60 tons within a 24-hour period. This upgraded press, which has supported farmers since the 1990s, now operates continuously during the production season, which generally lasts until January. In the previous year, it processed the harvest of 215 farmers and ensured product safety through rigorous laboratory testing in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Dr. Bassam Alowaiesh from Jouf University noted that the region is home to more than 25 million olive trees, with production commencing in early October. The region is known for cultivating a variety of olive types, including arbequina and picual, which are prized for their oil content and fruit size.
Each year, Al-Jouf celebrates its production achievements through the Al-Jouf International Olive Festival. Organized by the regional municipality, this festival promotes the region's olive oil and table olives, alongside processing industries such as olive soap, pickles, and cosmetic products. Producers vie for annual prizes that can reach up to half a million riyals.