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In a landmark milestone for its agricultural industry, Pakistan has officially secured permanent membership in the International Olive Council (IOC) for the first time. The announcement was formalized by the Foreign Office, confirming that Pakistan formally took its seat during the IOC’s 123rd session hosted in Lisbon, Portugal. The high-profile assembly brought together delegations from 27 prominent olive-producing countries worldwide.
The Pakistani delegation was spearheaded by the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain. Addressing the council, the minister delivered a comprehensive overview of Pakistan’s rapidly accelerating olive sector. He emphasized the country's strategic initiatives aimed at cultivating sustainable olive production, particularly through climate-resilient practices tailored to mitigate global environmental challenges.
Minister Hussain reaffirmed Islamabad's determination to serve as a proactive and constructive partner within the global olive ecosystem, aiming to enhance the nation's footprint across international commercial olive markets. Accompanied by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Portugal, Aisha Farooqui, the delegation presented extensive data underscoring their domestic advancements.
Among the key highlights presented to the council was the successful planting of over seven million olive trees across various regions of Pakistan. Cultivation efforts currently span 55,669 acres of land, with designated olive clusters expanding at an unprecedented pace. The Foreign Office further detailed that Pakistan has institutionalized a comprehensive "farm-to-table" value chain within the sector. This infrastructure includes 51 fully operational olive oil extraction units, modern nursery networks, processing facilities, and dedicated meteorological stations. Furthermore, four state-of-the-art laboratories have been developed in strict compliance with IOC international testing standards.
Through these concerted efforts, Pakistan has reached complete self-sufficiency in generating certified local olive saplings, while its premium olive oil has started gaining notable recognition on the global stage. Formed in 1959, the International Olive Council operates as the premier intergovernmental body dedicated to fostering the sustainable and responsible expansion of the olive trade, with its current membership representing over 94 percent of global olive oil production.
Source: DAWN News Agency
