Pakistan Establishes National Olive Oil Council to Strengthen Domestic Production
The Government of Pakistan has announced the establishment of the National Olive Oil Council as part of the new National Olive Policy. This step aims to regulate the rapid growth of the country’s olive industry, stimulate exports, and reduce dependence on imported vegetable oils.
This is reported by AgroReview
Functions and Objectives of the New Council
The new structure is expected to become a key institution: it will be responsible for coordinating industry activities, certifying products, developing brands, and ensuring the quality of olive oil and its derivatives. The Council will also monitor the implementation of the National Olive Policy and the execution of the Action Plan developed in accordance with the international standards of the International Olive Council (IOC).
According to a representative of the Ministry of National Food Security, with the implementation of the new policy, Pakistan intends to transition from a young producer to a competitive player in the global olive oil market within 5–7 years.
“The policy is focused on sustainable development, improving the welfare of rural communities, conserving foreign exchange reserves, and increasing the export of value-added products.”
Industry Achievements and Support from International Partners
The olive industry in Pakistan is already showing significant progress: due to increased domestic production, olive oil imports have decreased by nearly 50%, while export volumes continue to rise. The Pakistani brand “LO” won a silver medal at the international olive oil competition in New York, where over 1,200 companies from 28 countries showcased their products.
Since 2014, olive production in the country has been actively expanding: over 33,000 acres of low-yield land have been transformed into olive orchards, more than 6.9 million trees have been planted in 60 districts, and over 11,000 farmers are employed in the sector. The development of the industry is supported by 51 oil extraction plants, a modern laboratory network, and international partners, including the government of Italy, which provides funding for the cultivation and processing of olives.