Over 275,000 olive lovers spent nearly SR7 million during their visit to the 3rd Olive Festival in Jouf last week, a festival organizer said. The festival products come from 52 local olive oil producers in the region. Festival events explored the roles, past and present, of olive oil, and its special characteristics while offering extensive insights into an appreciation of its quality and use. Virgin olive oil has accounted for 80 percent of the sales, said Zakariya Al-Darran, deputy chairman of the organizing committee. “Olive oil is more than just a food condiment; it is a symbol of a healthy diet and ancient culture. It is a tree mentioned in the Holy Qur'an,” he said. The appreciation of olive oil has attracted large numbers with the start of the holidays, with visitors coming mainly from Qassim, Hail, and Tabuk, Al-Darran said. During the first week of the festival, businesspeople signed contracts with participating olive oil producers to buy and market their olive products. During this year's festival, the products well-presented and packaged, increasing the volume of sales, which Al-Darran said satisfies one of the main goals of the festival. This year's olive festival will come to a close on Dec. 9.
