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Pakistan’s domestic olive oil production is projected to reach 716 tons this year, according to a government survey, marking a significant milestone for an industry that has transitioned from research to commercial scale. The sector's journey began in 1986 through a partnership between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and the Italian government, eventually evolving into large-scale cultivation projects that converted wild species into fruit-bearing varieties.
The current National Olive Value Chain Policy 2024-2030 sets an ambitious target to expand cultivation to 100,000 acres and increase the tree population to 10 million by 2030. To streamline this growth, the government established the Pakistan Olive and Olive Oil Council (POOC) and launched the 'PakOlive' national certification trademark to ensure strict quality control and regulatory compliance.
Data from the government survey shows that 7.64 million olive plants have been established across 60,456 acres in 131 districts. Balochistan leads the national effort, accounting for 41.9% of the total plant population, followed by Punjab at 29.3% and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 21.7%. The trajectory is remarkable; production that stood at a mere 19 kg in 2016 is expected to hit 716 tons by 2026, with fruit production estimated at 7,412 tons.
In terms of trade, olive oil exports surged from 9 tons in 2020 to 249 tons in 2025, while import volumes dropped 33% from their 2021 peak. Industry experts highlight that Pakistani olives, particularly from Balochistan, offer exceptional quality and high oil yields. While the global average yield is 12-14 kg of oil per 100 kg of fruit, Balochistan varieties are reportedly yielding up to 18 kg, suggesting strong international competitiveness.
However, bottlenecks remain, including limited corporate involvement in branding and packaging, and a long break-even period of nearly 10 years for growers. Consumer perception also remains a hurdle, with 74% of the market still favoring imported brands. To counter these issues, the government has installed 51 extraction units and established value-addition laboratories and weather stations to support the industry's long-term sustainability and reduce dependence on imported edible oils.
Source: ProPakistani