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The Olives of Jordan

 
The oldest traces of this crop date back more than 5,400 years. Researchers studying olive tree DNA claim that many of the varieties sold worldwide may be descended from Mehrez, a local variety.
The Romans were the first to cultivate the olive tree systematically, but the plant has its roots in the land of the river Jordan and is intertwined with Jordan’s history, the culture and traditions of the three great monotheistic religions.
over 11 million olive trees is planted in Jordan, up to 20 % of the agricultural land is dedicated to olive trees and almost 20% of them are from the Roman category.
It’s worth mentioning that the olive industry in Jordan has made significant progress in the domestic and foreign markets, as food products manufactured from olive fruits are highly appreciated by importing countries around the world. The main strength of the olive industry is the high quality of Jordanian olive oil. The production chain of Jordanian olive oil is integrated, and applies high-level international quality standards at the production and industrial levels, as well as advanced technology.
The production of olive fruits from 1995 developed significantly, with production increase of 32% since 1995.
It should be noted that since 2000, Jordan has achieved self-sufficiency in olive oil and has begun a new stage of development by exporting olive oil to many countries of the world. The most important of these are the Arab Gulf countries and the USA.
The royal directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II related to the need to promote the olive sector in Jordan, and to meet the requirements of Jordan’s accession to the International  Olive Council (IOC). This accession obliges member states to adopt the IOC’s international standards, including the sensory evaluation of olive oil, which is one of the most important indicators for determining the quality of virgin olive oils.
Jordan is home to a unique number of local olive varieties, however most common today are 4 major ones including 1 minor one, in addition to a recently preserved ancient variety (Mehras).
 These ancient cultivars provide a unique taste and smell that reflects our age-old tradition and the combination of traditional handpicking and modern milling techniques ensures high quality.
Those local varieties include:
Nabali Baladi, Rasei, Nabali Muhassan, Souri, Shami,Kfari Romi.
And here are some notable Jordanian heritage olive trees:
  • Al-Duwaireh Olive Tree: Located near Madaba
  • Ajloun Olive Groves
  • Jerash Olive Trees
  • Salt Heritage Olive Trees
  • Al-Karak Olive Orchards
  • Ma’an Ancient Olive Tree
  • Dana Biosphere Reserve Olive Groves
These heritage olive trees not only contribute to Jordan’s agricultural and economic sectors but also serve as a reminder of the country’s deep-rooted cultural traditions. They highlight the importance of olive cultivation in Jordanian history and represent the enduring connection between people and the land.