Rif Dimashq Tightens Oversight on Olive Presses to Ensure Quality
The Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Directorate in Rif Dimashq has launched a series of inspection campaigns targeting olive presses across the governorate. These measures coincide with the start of the current olive pressing season, which officially commenced on October 20.
This initiative is part of a broader government effort to regulate production processes, ensure that press operators adhere to officially mandated processing fees, and verify that both the produced olive oil and pressing by-products meet established technical and health standards.
Abdul Salam Khaled, Director of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Rif Dimashq, stated that a joint committee has been formed to oversee these operations. The committee includes representatives from the ministries of Industry, Agriculture, and Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, as well as officials from Local Administration and Environment and the Water Resources Directorate. This body is tasked with monitoring the activities of olive presses and verifying their compliance with required professional and technical standards throughout the harvest season.
There are approximately 26 olive presses located within Rif Dimashq. According to official reports, five of these facilities are currently non-operational, while others are in the final stages of preparation to receive crops for the season. Khaled noted that inspection teams are conducting ongoing, periodic sampling of the olive oil produced. Furthermore, samples are being collected from “geft water” (a by-product of the pressing process) and “perin” (solid olive pomace) to undergo rigorous laboratory testing at specialized facilities.
These procedures are designed to closely monitor production lines within the presses, ensuring the cleanliness of equipment and adherence to health and technical conditions necessary for maintaining the quality of the final oil product. The director emphasized that inspection teams are prepared to issue legal citations against any violators found to be in breach of quality standards or engaged in price manipulation. These actions are intended to safeguard the integrity of the production process and protect the rights of both farmers and consumers against potential fraudulent practices.
This intensified oversight is part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance market regulation across Syrian governorates during agricultural seasons. The measures aim to ensure market stability, prevent the exploitation of farmers, and uphold the reputation of Syrian olive oil as one of the nation’s most important strategic agricultural products.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
