Pakistan to establish Olive Oil Council to cut reliance on edible oil imports

The government has announced plans to establish a dedicated Olive Oil Council under the upcoming National Olive Policy to regulate Pakistan’s rapidly growing olive industry, enhance exports, and reduce dependence on imported edible oils.

The new council will act as a central body for the coordination, certification, branding, and quality control of olive oil and its by-products. It will also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Olive Policy and Action Plan, aligning the sector with international standards set by the International Olive Council (IOC).

The policy focuses on sustainable production, improving rural livelihoods, saving foreign exchange, and boosting value-added exports. A senior official from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research stated that the goal is to transform Pakistan from a nascent olive producer into a competitive global market player within five to seven years.

Pakistan’s growing domestic olive oil production has already reduced imports by nearly 50%, with export volumes on the rise. The country’s olive oil brand “LO” recently won a silver award at the New York International Olive Oil Competition, standing out among 1,200 global entries from 28 countries.

Since 2014, Pakistan’s olive cultivation has expanded significantly, with 33,000 acres of marginal land converted into olive orchards, and over 4.3 million trees planted across 60 districts. The country’s olive ecosystem now spans over 55,000 acres with 6.9 million trees, engaging more than 11,000 farmers.

To further support the industry, 51 olive oil extraction units are operational in various provinces, along with fruit-processing units, nursery tunnels, weather stations, and laboratories to ensure global quality standards are met.

International partners, including the Government of Italy, are supporting these efforts with funding for olive cultivation and processing projects. The Olive Oil Council will coordinate these initiatives, focusing on branding, marketing, and export strategies to position Pakistan as a credible player in the global olive oil market.

In addition to its agricultural focus, the council will promote olive tourism, national expos, and the development of nutraceutical products, aiming to diversify income streams for rural communities. The policy envisions olive cultivation as a climate-resilient economic sector that will contribute to Pakistan’s national prosperity.