“Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution Announces Results of the 2024 Golden Olive Oil Competition”

Ramallah – The Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution announced today, Sunday, the winners of the 17th edition of the Golden Olive Oil Competition for the 2024 season.

The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Chairman of the Board of the institution, Mr. Arafat Asfour, and attended by the esteemed Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Bader Hawamdeh.

Minister Asfour congratulated the participating farmers, noting that the competition has become an annual tradition for the institution for the seventeenth consecutive year. He emphasized that the primary goal of the competition is to enhance the quality of premium Palestinian olive oil and strengthen its position in local and international markets, providing the production chain with positive opportunities for competition through the implementation of best agricultural and production practices.

Asfour also highlighted the institution’s continuous efforts, in partnership with other stakeholders, to boost Palestinian consumers’ confidence in local olive oil. These efforts include providing guidance to farmers on optimal harvesting methods and conducting sensory, chemical, and physical tests on the oil to ensure the production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil compliant with Palestinian and international standards.

He further noted that the Palestinian National Olive Oil Tasting Panel recently obtained accreditation from the International Olive Council for the first time, making the sensory evaluation certificates issued by the institution internationally recognized for export purposes.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Eng. Bader Hawamdeh expressed his gratitude for the invitation and congratulated the winners, praising the Palestinian farmers and their efforts to improve olive oil quality. He affirmed the ministry’s support for farmers as part of its strategic plan, including the “Al-Faz’a” campaign aimed at enabling farmers to access their lands and harvest their olives. He also mentioned the distribution of 125,000 olive seedlings to citizens affected by settler attacks on their lands.

“Everyone who participated in this competition is a winner,” said Hawamdeh, “as the olive tree holds both economic value and political significance, serving as a steadfast symbol for us all.” He also thanked all supporters and partners involved in the competition.

Eng. Haider Hajjeh, Director General of the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution, stated that the institution developed a quality charter for olive oil production to guarantee the production of extra virgin olive oil in line with Palestinian and international standards. The sensory analysis laboratory was also upgraded, along with the efficiency of the national tasting panel and its supporting team, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of evaluation results.

Competition Results:

• First Place (Gold Award): Farmer Hassan Tahseen Abdul Majid Ghanem

• Second Place (Silver Award): Farmer Ali Ouda Mohammed Haj

• Third Place (Bronze Award): Farmer Ahmed Mohammed Jamil

• Fourth Place: Farmer Abdul Hamid Hassan

• Fifth Place: Farmer Mohammed Ibrahim Ma’iqel

Prizes included agricultural equipment and cash awards provided by the competition partners.

Donors and Partners:

The institution extends sincere thanks to all donors and partners who contributed to the success of the competition, including Green Olive Mountain, Oxfam and partners, FAO, Agricultural Relief, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of National Economy, Palestinian Engineers Association, Agricultural Work Committees Union, Al Reef Company for Agricultural Investment and Marketing, Palestinian Center for Economic and Social Development, Pal Trade, Tannk Factories Company, Yasser Mansour & Brothers for Tin and Plastic Manufacturing, Al Ard Company, Birzeit University, and the Palestinian Olive and Olive Oil Council.