ISLAMABAD:

More than 100 enterprises are operating across Pakistan’s olive sector, reflecting the rapid expansion of plantations, growing private participation, and rising domestic and global demand, the head of the National Olive Project said.

“With government backing, an olive policy is nearing cabinet approval,” Mohammad Tariq, National Project Director, Olive Promotional Program in Pakistan, told Wealth Pakistan. “So, the roadmap for sustainability is taking shape,” he said.

He said the sharp rise in enterprises, from just one or two at the start of the programme to over 100 today, shows momentum in marketing, processing, value addition, and related services.

Olive is a high-value crop with strong potential and is emerging as a key opportunity to diversify Pakistan’s agriculture, Tariq said.

The national olive programme covers cultivation, processing, branding, packaging, certification, and exportation, creating investment opportunities in farming, consultancy services, nurseries, marketing, and branding.

Tariq said limited skilled manpower and technical know-how also open avenues for investors in training and specialised services.

Pakistan’s large, low-cost labour force gives it an edge over traditional olive-producing countries facing labour shortages and higher production costs. Rising urban consumption is another driver, with the number of olive product consumers increasing steadily, he said.

Despite challenges such as reliance on imported machinery and limited advisory services, untapped areas including olive leaf, fruit, and pomace processing offer room for expansion. He said olive imports are declining while exports are increasing, underlining the sector’s forward momentum.

Global olive oil trade is expected to expand in coming years due to rising health awareness worldwide, he added. Tariq said sustained efforts have produced 19 high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient varieties of high-value crops, including olive. He said olive development is progressing in phases, with plantations expanding annually and oil extraction units installed across provinces.