Sunday 19 / July / 2026
Muscat: An Omani project for the production and marketing of Al Jabal Al Akhdar olive oil has achieved international recognition by winning three gold medals in the world's most prestigious extra virgin olive oil competitions, further confirming the quality of Omani olive oil and its ability to compete in global markets.
The "OLIO" brand achieved this feat by winning gold medals at the Abu Dhabi International Olive Oil Competition, the Geneva European International Olive Oil Competition, and the Scandinavian International Olive Oil Competition (SIOOC). These are among the world's leading platforms for evaluating olive oils according to rigorous criteria that include chemical and sensory properties, under the supervision of specialized international judging panels.
Ghanem bin Salem Al Thani, CEO of Al Fawah Perfumes said that these achievements reflect the growing prominence of Al Jabal Al Akhdar olive oil. Produced in a mountainous environment with exceptional climatic conditions, this oil boasts a balanced flavor, a high content of natural antioxidants, and a low acidity level of approximately 0.1 percent – key indicators of extra virgin olive oil quality.
He added that Al Jabal Al Akhdar's unique characteristics, including its altitude, moderate temperatures, and significant temperature variations between day and night, contribute to slow fruit growth. This slower growth helps concentrate the flavors and increase the concentration of natural phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the pristine environment and low pest populations positively impact the quality of both the olives and the oil.
Al Thani pointed out that maintaining product quality begins at the harvest stage. The olives are picked when they reach their ideal ripeness and then transported directly to the press. The time between harvesting and pressing should not exceed 24 hours, and the cold-pressing method is used at a temperature not exceeding 27 degrees Celsius, which preserves the natural properties and nutritional value of the oil.
Al Thani explained that after pressing, the oil is stored in food-grade stainless steel tanks, protected from light, heat, and oxygen. Nitrogen gas is injected into the containers before bottling to minimize oxidation, and the oil is packaged in opaque containers to ensure its quality until it reaches the consumer.
He stated that the idea behind establishing the "OLIO" brand was to offer Al Jabal Al Akhdar olive oil under a trusted Omani brand that reflects the product's quality and distinction.
The CEO of Al Fawah Perfumes noted that the brand name is inspired by oleocanthal, a compound known for its natural properties and health benefits. The brand has been officially registered with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion.
He emphasised that the most significant challenges during the establishment phase were building consumer trust in the new brand and introducing Al Jabal Al Akhdar olive oil, highlighting its competitiveness both locally and internationally, through adherence to the highest quality standards at every stage of production.
He noted that the project's products are currently marketed in local markets and have also been well-received by visitors to Al Jabal Al Akhdar from around the world. This has contributed to raising awareness of the product beyond the Sultanate of Oman, with plans to expand into global markets in the coming phase.
Al Thani explained that winning these international awards has boosted consumer confidence in Omani products, emphasizing that "OLIO" olive oil belongs to the category of extra virgin olive oil and has an acidity level ranging between 0.1 and 0.2 percent, levels that reflect exceptional quality and meticulous attention to detail throughout the production process.
In concluding his remarks, Ghanem bin Salem Al Thani called on Omani youth to invest in the agricultural and food industries, and to take advantage of the natural resources that the Sultanate of Oman abounds in, with a focus on manufacturing, building brands, innovation and commitment to quality standards, stressing that the Omani product is capable of competing globally when mastery is combined with continuous development.
