The Saudi Coffee Company, owned by the Public Investment Fund, announced the launch of the second edition of the “Saudi Excellence Crop“ competition in partnership with the Alliance for Coffee Excellence. This competition aims to educate and empower coffee farmers in the southern region of the Kingdom and celebrate their exceptional crops.
Goals of the Competition
The competition seeks to support coffee farmers in Jazan, Al-Baha, Muhayil Asir, and Rijal Alma, by providing them with a platform to showcase their crops to a specialized judging panel that includes experts from leading coffee-producing markets such as Brazil, Nicaragua, the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, the United States, Australia, and Japan.
It also aims to enhance the quality of Saudi coffee by offering farmers guidance on improving crop quality through better soil and water management, using appropriate fertilizers, and adopting modern harvesting and pruning practices.
Participation and Evaluation Process
The competition will span a full month, during which farmers are required to submit coffee samples weighing 25 kilograms each. The evaluation process will consist of three main rounds:
- First Round: Evaluation of participants’ samples on January 25, 2025, with 40 participants advancing to the next round.
- Second Round: Assessment of 20 samples on January 29, 2025.
- Final Round: Evaluation of 12 samples on January 30, 2025.
The winners will be announced during the Saudi Coffee International Exhibition.
Prizes and Rewards
The judging panel will select 12 winners from the participating cities, with total cash prizes amounting to SAR 240,000. Additionally, the competition will provide winners with the opportunity to access new markets by connecting them to a network of importers, exporters, auctions, and trade exhibitions, thereby promoting the global reputation of Saudi coffee.
Advancing the Saudi Coffee Industry
Engineer Khalid Abu Dhaib, CEO of the Saudi Coffee Company, stated that this year’s competition will see broader participation in terms of the number of farmers and cities involved, with a stronger focus on improving every stage of coffee production. He highlighted the importance of enhancing the global standing of Saudi coffee and developing the coffee industry in the Kingdom by enabling Saudi farmers to meet global standards for high-quality coffee.
He added that the competition will also offer professional guidance, including how to obtain commercial records and licenses, promote products through packaging, and utilize online platforms to highlight their brands.
Registration and Sample Submission Dates
The company invited farmers interested in participating to submit entry forms and coffee samples weighing 1 kilogram between January 5–9, 2025. Participants qualifying for the first round will be required to submit samples weighing 25 kilograms by January 18, 2025.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Saudi coffee production and support local farmers, contributing to positioning the Kingdom as a leading producer of high-quality coffee on the global stage.