Abha, February 12, 2024, The debut coffee festival held in Rijal Almaa province, orchestrated by the Al-Bun Co-operative Society, proved to be a resounding success, attracting a staggering 21,000 attendees over a span of four days. With the active involvement of 36 Saudi coffee exhibitors, the event garnered significant interest, as remarked by Dr. Abdulrahim Al-Mushari, the Head of Al-Bun Co-operative Society. Showcasing a diverse array of premium coffee varieties, the festival boasted 36 booths within the main event tent, complemented by outdoor spaces accommodating 17 farms, collectively offering up to 6 tons of Saudi coffee for sale.
Integral to the festival's agenda were four educational workshops and three seminars, engaging farmers, coffee aficionados, and experts alike. These sessions were geared towards raising awareness about contemporary methodologies in coffee cultivation, emphasizing the adoption of advanced agricultural practices. Moreover, the festival hosted a spirited coffee brewing championship featuring the V60 apparatus, with prizes exceeding SAR20,000.
A notable outcome of the festival was the signing of 10 agreements between various stakeholders—companies, farmers, and the Al-Bun Co-operative Society—aimed at bolstering and supporting coffee cultivation endeavors across the province. Central to the festival's mission is the recognition of the tireless efforts of local coffee farmers, fostering community cohesion, promoting the adoption of modern farming techniques, and spotlighting their commitment to producing top-tier coffee. Such efforts are poised to elevate the region's reputation as a premier producer of exceptional Saudi coffee, both domestically and on the global stage.
