Taif Global Forum 2026: Accelerating the Economic Impact of Saudi Arabia’s Aromatic Sector
Under the high patronage of Prince Fawaz bin Sultan, Governor of Taif, the second edition of the Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum is set to convene from March 29 to April 11. This landmark event underscores Taif’s evolution from a historical agricultural center into a sophisticated industrial hub for high-value botanical extracts and global exports.
- Strategic Objective: Positioning Taif as the primary global capital for rose and aromatic plant production.
- Production Growth: Output has surged 34% in four years, currently reaching 960 million roses annually.
- Vision 2026: A roadmap to double production to 2 billion roses to serve international cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets.
- Stakeholder Impact: Direct support for over 400 specialized farmers through the Saudi Reef program.
A Scientific and Economic Powerhouse
Moving beyond traditional festivities, the forum serves as a multi-dimensional platform integrating scientific research, industrial investment, and agritourism. According to forum spokesperson Khadija Abu Al-Naja, the event is designed to highlight the governorate’s competitive advantages, inviting private sector investment into distillation technologies and supply chain logistics.
The 2025 edition demonstrated the massive commercial potential of the sector, attracting over 350,000 visitors. This year, the focus shifts toward institutionalizing the industry, ensuring that the “City of Roses” contributes significantly to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP.
The Role of Saudi Reef and Vision 2030
The expansion of the aromatic sector is a flagship success story for the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef). By providing technical expertise and financial frameworks, Saudi Reef has empowered local producers to meet international standards. This alignment with Vision 2030 aims to foster rural sustainability while diversifying the Kingdom’s export portfolio into the global luxury goods and wellness markets.
As the Kingdom targets a production milestone of 2 billion roses by 2026, the forum will act as the primary catalyst for finalizing trade agreements and showcasing the latest in sustainable agricultural technology.
