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International olive oil expert and judge, and member of the Scientific Society – Alexandria University.
One quiet evening, as I sat reflecting on the many years I had spent in the world of oils, my wife turned to me and asked, "Does the dream you've carried all these years still live within you?" I smiled confidently and replied, "A dream begins with an idea... and an idea begins with a step, and I am ready to take that step, no matter the difficulties."
I believed that the day this dream would come true would eventually arrive, no matter how long the wait. I didn't know that this small step would lead me to establish the first international olive competition in Egypt, and that my name would become part of a success story inspiring those working in this sector worldwide.
My professional journey began in 1993 in the field of vegetable oil processing and refining, moving between Egypt, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia. In 2005, while working in Algeria, I was introduced for the first time to the world of olive oil and compared it to other vegetable oils. That encounter was a true turning point; it ignited a deep passion within me for this unique healthy product. I then continued to develop my expertise, taking specialized courses in Italy, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, and participated in international olive oil competitions, winning gold medals for several companies I worked with in Algeria and Saudi Arabia.
Despite the significant development in the Egyptian olive sector and Egypt's leading position among table olive exporting countries, I noticed the absence of any national or international competition specialized in olives or olive oil within Egypt. With the expansion of olive cultivation and the rising awareness of Egyptian consumers, my dream began to crystallize around one question: Why doesn't Egypt have an international olive competition?
Despite significant challenges, most notably that I was not residing in Egypt and the difficulty of communicating with relevant authorities, I continued to work on the idea with persistence and the belief that the dream was worth pursuing.
Behind every great achievement stands a family that believes in the dream before its owner does. My family played a pivotal role in supporting me through years of planning and challenges; they provided the psychological and practical environment that allowed the idea to grow and transform into a real project. My wife, "Sihem Boudjemaa," an Algerian from the Amazigh tribes, had the greatest impact on the success of the first edition of the competition; she was a constant source of encouragement, instilling confidence in me and pushing me to continue despite obstacles. Her support was the cornerstone that helped me turn the idea into reality and directly contributed to the success of the first edition.
After years of work, and in cooperation with an Egyptian marketing studies institution, I succeeded in early 2025 in launching the first purely Egyptian competition under the name: Pyramids International Olive Oil Competition (Pyramids International Olive Oil Competition).
I took on the role of Executive Director for the first edition, which was the first of its kind in Egypt's history. The organizing team faced significant challenges as it was their first experience organizing an international competition; the organization was simple, yet it was imbued with a family atmosphere. We faced a difficult challenge in rapidly coding the many samples and quickly calculating the results, as we wanted to display them immediately, but widespread international support gave the event strength and global recognition.
Experts and judges, including friends of mine, from several countries participated in the first edition, including:
The first edition saw the participation of 193 brands from 20 producing countries, firmly placing Egypt on the global olive oil map.
Following the great success of the first edition, preparations for the second edition in 2026 began under the name: Cleopatra Edition. This edition saw an even greater expansion in the number of participants and judges, with the addition of:
The number of entries reached 212 brands from 18 producing countries, making the competition a global focal point and solidifying Egypt's position as an active player in the olive sector.
Today, I stand proud and happy with what has been achieved. I have laid a real foundation for the Egyptian olive sector's involvement in the international arena, opening new horizons for Egyptian producers to compete globally.
"How proud I am of this achievement, which serves as a cornerstone in the development of the Egyptian olive sector and fulfills a dream I have cherished for many years."
