ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Friday underscored the need to boost domestic olive production, noting that Pakistan’s agricultural exports stand at USD 9 billion, the country spends USD 4 billion annually on palm oil imports.
Addressing participants at the 7th National Olive Festival, the minister highlighted the global significance of the olive industry, pointing out that Spain alone exports olives worth $11 billion each year. Italy also records substantial export volumes. He said that expanding Pakistan’s olive cultivation could help meet local demand and generate valuable foreign exchange through exports in the coming years.
Hussain said Italy is extending technical support to Pakistan and has approved a €20 million project to strengthen the sector. He added that Pakistan is expected to secure membership in the International Olive Council (IOC) within the next two to three months, a development that will enhance international recognition of the country’s olive industry
The minister noted that olive cultivation in Pakistan has grown beyond experimentation and has now matured into a fully emerging industry. He said the country's climate is ideal for producing premium-quality olives and that the crop offers a climate-resilient solution well-suited to water-scarce regions.
Hussain emphasized that the expanding olive sector is providing thousands of farmers with profitable livelihoods while creating new business and employment opportunities in rural areas. Pakistan, he said, has the potential to emerge as a leading regional hub for olive cultivation and processing.
The Minister said that the consumption of olive oil and other olive products is increasing in the country, and a portion of Pakistan’s olive oil is already being exported, including the award-winning Pakistani olive oil that secured a silver medal in the United States.
He stressed that the government is prioritizing the supply of quality saplings, research, modern oil extraction facilities, and overall improvement of the value chain. Upgrading olive packaging, branding, and marketing to international standards, he said, is essential.
The minister said that farmers are the backbone of the country and assured that the government will extend all possible support to them. He expressed confidence that olives have become a strategic crop for Pakistan and that the country’s journey towards becoming an “olive hub” is progressing rapidly.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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