Madinah henna growers eye economic opportunities 

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The plant is known for its light green color and strong herbal fragrance, which indicate its quality. (SPA photo)
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The plant is known for its light green color and strong herbal fragrance, which indicate its quality. (SPA photo)
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Powdered henna leaves. (SPA)
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Updated 15 August 2025
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Madinah henna growers eye economic opportunities 

  • Incentive measures have been provided by the relevant authorities in the Madinah region to encourage local henna production and export

RIYADH: Madinah is considered one of the leading regions in the Kingdom for cultivating henna, which is renowned for its high quality and unique characteristics. 

The plant is grown in several locations in the region, such as the governorates of Wadi Al-Fora’a and Badr. 

Madinah henna is regarded as one of the best varieties in the world due to its purity and natural properties.

It is known for its light green color and strong herbal fragrance, which indicate its quality.




Henna has long been used to dye and nourish hair, increase its thickness, and reduce hair loss, and as a natural substance to cool the skin in high temperatures. (SPA)

The plant is also organically cultivated, without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, making it safe to use.

The uses of Madinah henna are varied, but it has widespread application in cosmetics, where henna leaves are ground into a fine powder and then mixed with water, olive oil, or coconut oil for added moisture, or with essential oils to enhance its color and improve texture. 

Henna has long been used to dye and nourish hair, increase its thickness, and reduce hair loss, and as a natural substance to cool the skin in high temperatures. 

FASTFACTS

• Madinah henna is regarded as one of the best varieties in the world due to its purity and natural properties.

• Henna can also be converted into derivative products such as powders, pastes, and essential oils to increase the economic value of this agricultural product and enhance its profitability.

It is also used for decorating hands and feet, cleansing the skin, and reducing pigmentation.

A report issued by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce has reviewed the investment opportunities provided by henna cultivation, noting the possibility of expanding henna farming using modern irrigation techniques to increase production, developing value-added henna products such as scented henna or organic henna, and targeting international markets by promoting henna as an authentic Madinah product.




Henna is also used for decorating hands and feet, cleansing the skin, and reducing pigmentation. (SPA)

The report suggested Madinah can benefit from opportunities in agricultural investment, livestock production, as well as industrial investment based on production inputs from agricultural crops, derivatives, or waste related to these crops and others. 

Henna can also be converted into derivative products such as powders, pastes, and essential oils to increase the economic value of this agricultural product and enhance its profitability.

Incentive measures have been provided by the relevant authorities in the Madinah region to encourage local henna production and export.

Henna is among the targeted sectors of the Reef program to support productive families and professions linked to local production, and to provide financial support to farmers and agricultural professionals, especially given the relatively low cost of cultivating the product. 
 


Saudi chef wins culinary competition

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Saudi chef wins culinary competition

  • Event aimed to empower chefs’ ability to showcase talent on global scale 
  • Bayan Abdullah Al-Sudani: It (has) encouraged me to participate in more challenging spaces

RIYADH: A Saudi has won the Saudi Elite Chefs competition at Horeca Riyadh.

The event, which was organized by the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, in alignment with the ministry’s long-term goals, aimed to empower Saudi chefs’ ability to showcase their talent and creativity on a global scale.

Speaking to Arab News, the winner, Bayan Abdullah Al-Sudani, shed light on how the competition equipped her with confidence for the future, saying: “It was a big challenge, and I faced off against strong chefs. It (has) encouraged me to participate in more challenging spaces.”

On her future plans, Al-Sudani wants to give back to the industry, and added: “I look forward to opening the Bayan Academy soon so that I can support chefs and help them with the pastry sector specifically.”

Celebration and achievement were echoed throughout, and it was evident at the event that the culinary industry in the Kingdom is hungry for growth, recognition, and global competition.

Seba Zarea, general manager of strategy and program delivery at the Culinary Arts Commission, told Arab News of the many facets of the industry that the ministry was prioritizing.

Zarea said: “This competition is just one of the initiatives that the Culinary Arts Commission is working on. There are also local scholarships (and) vocational training. We are also working on attracting the best culinary schools to Saudi. For example, Le Cordon Bleu is opening next year in Misk City.”

Zarea stressed the rewards of events like the Saudi Elite Chefs competition, adding that the winner had a fast track to Bocuse d’Or and the World Pastry Cup — representing global opportunities to place both competitors and Saudi cuisine on the map.

Zarea added: “Food is a soft power and, in terms of tourism, food is a universal language so we codified the Saudi cuisine, an initiative started four years ago, and we came up with more than 1,300 codified recipes, items, and local produce from the Kingdom.”

Zarea went into depth on some of the behind-the-scenes efforts that have helped create the food that the Kingdom is able to showcase.

She shared the example of the Wild Plant Initiative, a program designed to explore plants of various regions in the Kingdom to discover new ingredients that can be integrated into Saudi cuisine.

These efforts go into helping to build an industry that is rooted in culture, creativity, and passion. 

In the same way that the Saudi Elite Chefs competition provides its winners and participants with the tools to bring their success to global attention, the Culinary Arts Commission works to elevate the Kingdom’s cuisine through tourism and hospitality.

Zarea said: “This sector is the easiest way to showcase the culture.”