ISLAMABAD
\nMore than 100 enterprises are operating across Pakistan\u2019s olive sector, reflecting the rapid expansion of plantations, growing private participation, and rising domestic and global demand, head of the National Olive Project said.
\n\u201cWith government backing, an olive policy is nearing cabinet approval,\u201d Mohammad Tariq, National Project Director, Olive Promotional Program in Pakistan, told Wealth Pakistan. \u201cSo, the roadmap for sustainability is taking shape,\u201d he maintained.
\nHe said the sharp rise in the number of enterprises \u2014 from just one or two at the start of the program to over 100 today \u2014 demonstrates the sector\u2019s growing momentum in marketing, processing, value addition, and related services.
\n\u201cOlive is a very high-value crop and has a lot of potential, which will be explored in the coming time,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cThe olive sector is emerging in Pakistan, offering one of the best opportunities to diversify agriculture.\u201d
\nThe national olive program spans cultivation, processing, branding, packaging, certification, and exportation, creating investment opportunities not only in farming but also in consultancy services, nurseries, processing, marketing, and branding.
\n\u201cSo, there is great potential for increasing export and trade in this area,\u201d he said, noting that limited skilled manpower and technical know-how also open avenues for investors in training and specialized services.
\nPakistan\u2019s large, low-cost labour force provides a competitive advantage compared to traditional olive-producing countries, where labour shortages and higher production costs pose growing challenges, Tariq said.
\nHe cited rising urban consumption as another key driver, with the number of olive product consumers increasing steadily. While challenges persist \u2014 including reliance on imported machinery and limited business advisory services \u2014 untapped areas such as olive leaf, olive fruit, and olive pomace processing offer further room for expansion, he added.
\nTariq said olive imports are declining while exports are increasing, highlighting the sector\u2019s forward momentum. He noted that global olive oil trade is expected to expand significantly in the coming years due to rising health awareness worldwide.
\nHe added that sustained efforts have led to the development of 19 high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient varieties of several high-value crops, including olive. \u201cOlive is a promising and attractive area in Pakistan. With continued support, this sector can participate in global trade and generate impressive returns,\u201d Tariq said.
\nHe said olive development is progressing in phases, with plantations expanding annually and oil extraction units of varying capacities being installed across different provinces and regions. The government has focused on developing the entire value chain rather than limiting efforts to cultivation.
\nThis includes value-addition laboratories demonstrating fruit processing, depitting, grading, and slicing, along with processing plants being offered to the private sector on a matching-grant basis. Nursery tunnels have reduced dependence on imported plants from countries such as Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Tunisia.
\nCertified olive plants are now being produced locally in the private sector, supported by a reference laboratory for olive oil quality testing. \u201cThe program is focused on lifting the economy, especially the rural economy,\u201d Tariq said, adding that large tracts of barren land have been made productive, helping reduce land degradation and desertification.
\nHe highlighted significant progress in the Potohar region, including Rawalpindi, Attock, and Jhelum, where olive cultivation was previously absent. Expansion of plantations has helped curb soil erosion and downstream siltation during monsoon seasons while strengthening rural livelihoods and climate resilience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD More than 100 enterprises are operating across Pakistan\u2019s olive sector, reflecting the rapid expansion of plantations, growing private participation, and rising domestic and global demand, head of the National Olive Project said. \u201cWith government backing, an olive policy is nearing cabinet approval,\u201d Mohammad Tariq, National Project Director, Olive Promotional Program in Pakistan, told Wealth […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-531778","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n