Olives have succeeded in the north of the Kingdom, with Al-Jouf the leading region. But an olive project is a long-term investment, and its most important decision is the variety, because it determines whether you sell oil or table olives and the expected return.
Where are olives grown in Saudi Arabia?
Olive cultivation is concentrated in Al-Jouf, Hail and Tabuk, with plantings in Al-Baha and Asir. Published data indicate that Al-Jouf alone has about 25 million olive trees (2023) and produces about 18,000 tonnes of olive oil a year.
Olive varieties and oil content
Oil content varies with variety, irrigation, region and harvest timing. Approximate published figures for the main varieties grown in the Kingdom:
- Picual: 15%–22%, grown in Al-Jouf, Tabuk and Hail.
- Sorani: 20%–27%.
- Nabali: up to 26% of fruit weight, grown in Al-Jouf and Tabuk.
- Zaiti: about 30%, grown in Sakaka.
- Bishouline: medium content, concentrated in Al-Jouf.
- Other varieties grown: Jalat, Qaisi, Manzanilla, Dan.
For table olives, lower oil content (around 12%–15%) is generally preferred.
Nabali vs. improved Nabali
Nabali is a traditional Levantine variety used mainly for oil. Improved Nabali is treated as a separate variety and is often chosen for its larger fruit, which allows dual use for oil and table. A fixed oil-content figure should not be used in a feasibility study; it depends on irrigation and harvest timing, so it is measured from a nearby mill's analyses or similar farms in the region.
What an olive farm feasibility study calculates
- Pre-production period: trees need years before commercial production, which must be financed without revenue.
- Water: available irrigation volume and quality.
- Variety and purpose: oil, table or both, and the equipment each requires.
- Mill: contract pressing or building a mill, and the cost of each.
- Market: prices of local and imported oil and sales channels.
- Cash flows over the years until production stabilises.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best olive variety for oil in Saudi Arabia?
It depends on region and water. Varieties with the highest published oil content include Zaiti, Sorani and Nabali, but the choice is based on nearby farms' experience.
When does an olive farm become profitable?
Years after planting, not in the first season; the study sets this with a year-by-year cash-flow schedule.
Can oil and table olives be combined?
Yes, with dual-purpose varieties or by dividing the farm, costing each line separately.
Planning an olive farm?
Googan prepares agricultural feasibility studies that account for the pre-production period and cash flows over the project's life. Contact us to discuss your land and variety.
