By Febronia Hanna
Saudi Arabia entered Guinness world record this year for having the largest olive tree farm. The farm is located in the Northern region of Saudi Arabia, called Al-Jouf, specifically in Al-Basita area, and then extends to the outskirts of Tabuk region. The certificate was handed to a company with the same name, Al Jouf Agriculture Development Company.
The farm covers 7730 hectares, has 5 million olive trees and produces about 15,000 tons. As the kingdom consumes about 30 tons of the total production rate, the company is able to satisfy about half of the need of olive oil consumed by the kingdom; thus reducing imports.
Not only is the farm very large, but it produces olive that is of very high quality. The company has received eight quality certificates so far, not to mention the quality checks done by the Guinness records’ delegation before awarding them with the certificate.
The olive tree is highly celebrated in the Gulf region by organizing an annual olive festival that lasts for a couple of weeks, with people displaying their olive products and do many festive activities.