Saudi Arabias jasmine flower, a tradition ripe for investment

The region is putting forward its City of Jasmine project for investment in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, a project that can also contribute to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Saudi Green Initiative. The white-yellowish flowers’ enchanting scent has a place in flower arrangements at many Saudi social celebrations and weddings. It’s grown commercially in the region, and many backyards across the Kingdom are adorned by the tall climbing plant.

Symbolizing purity and peace, it’s the the official national flower in Pakistan and Syria and is also known regionally as “ful.” The beautiful flower can also be found across the world with similar decorative uses.

Young women in the region traditionally wear the flower or flower buds in the form of garlands and can also be seen adorned by brides across the region celebrating Henna nights, a celebration of family and friends before the formal wedding party taking place. Garlands in the shape of a crown can be designed by florists covering the whole head, large, thick necklaces and bracelets are also, at times, adorned by brides ahead of their big night.

Jasmine also occupies a prominent place as an item of decoration on social occasion such as graduation parties and birth celebrations. Guests entering receptions are welcomed with these flowers as they are thrown in the air and at times presented as gifts. The largest variety of the flower in Jazan is known as Azzan Jasmine and is most favored by Saudis for its strong fragrance and is significant from other varieties as it’s buds are long and mostly grown in mountainous areas and are light yellow in color.

With 280 tons of jasmine flowers cultivated annually, the City of Jasmine project is an attractive destination for agricultural investment, as well as investment in the manufacturing of essential oils, said the secretary-general of the Jazan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Majed Al-Johary.

He said that it is also in line with the Made in Saudi initiative. It is expected to produce approximately 22,000 kg of jasmine oil extracted from 1,126,000 jasmine trees, which reach their peak during their summer months.