Pakistan’s Olive Oil Production Set to Reach 716 Tonnes in 2026

Pakistan’s domestic olive oil industry is approaching an important milestone, with production expected to reach 716 tonnes in 2026, according to a government survey cited by ProPakistani. The increase reflects years of investment in olive cultivation, research, processing facilities and farmer support.

The industry has expanded significantly since 2016, when Pakistan produced just 19 kilograms of olive oil. However, local production remains modest compared with the country’s wider edible oil market, and turning the progress into a commercially successful industry will require better marketing, stronger distribution networks and sustained investment.

The latest figures point to growing potential for olive farming in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab’s Potohar region.

Pakistan Has Planted More Than 7.6 Million Olive Trees

According to the government survey reported by ProPakistani, approximately 7.64 million olive plants have been planted across 60,456 acres in 131 districts nationwide.

The distribution highlights the importance of Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the country’s olive development programme.

Source: Government survey figures reported by ProPakistani. Regional plant counts are rounded, so totals may vary slightly.

Balochistan has the largest share of planted olive trees, followed by Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These areas are central to the government’s strategy of expanding olive cultivation on land that may be less suitable for some conventional crops.

The objective is not simply to plant more trees. Developing productive orchards, improving harvesting practices and ensuring that farmers can sell their olives at viable prices are also essential to building a sustainable industry.

From 19 Kilograms to 716 Tonnes: How Production Has Grown

Pakistan’s olive oil production has increased substantially over the past decade.

The reported figures show a rise from just 19 kilograms in 2016 to an expected 716 tonnes in 2026. Olive fruit production for 2026 is estimated at 7,412 tonnes.

These figures are based on the government survey cited in the original report. The 2026 production figure is an estimate, not necessarily a final audited annual total.

The growth is particularly significant because commercial olive oil production requires more than suitable trees and favourable growing conditions. Farmers need access to appropriate varieties, technical guidance, harvesting equipment and extraction facilities.

The expansion of these supporting services will help determine whether increased cultivation translates into reliable supplies of locally produced olive oil.

Pakistan’s Olive Oil Exports Are Increasing

Pakistan’s olive oil trade has also shown encouraging growth.

According to figures reported by ProPakistani, exports increased from 9 tonnes in 2020 to 249 tonnes in 2025. This represents approximately 27 times the export volume recorded five years earlier.

Over the same period, olive oil imports reportedly declined from a peak of 4,479 tonnes in 2021 to 2,996 tonnes in 2025, a reduction of around 33%.

Source: Trade figures cited in ProPakistani’s report. These figures describe olive oil specifically, not Pakistan’s entire edible oil import bill.

The export increase suggests that Pakistani producers are finding opportunities beyond the domestic market. However, export growth from a relatively small starting point does not, on its own, establish that Pakistan has become a major international supplier.

Consistent quality, recognised certification, attractive packaging and dependable supply will be important if local producers want to expand their presence in international markets.

Why Balochistan Could Become an Important Olive Oil Producer

Balochistan accounts for the largest share of Pakistan’s planted olive trees, making the province a significant part of the country’s olive development strategy.

The government survey cited in the report estimates that Balochistan’s olive fruit can yield around 18 kilograms of oil per 100 kilograms of harvested olives. For comparison, the report cites a typical international yield of approximately 12 to 14 kilograms per 100 kilograms of fruit.

If these reported yields are achieved consistently under comparable conditions, they could offer an advantage to producers in the province. However, oil yield varies according to olive variety, fruit maturity, weather, harvesting methods and extraction technology. The reported figures should not be interpreted as a guaranteed yield for every orchard.

The province’s potential also depends on practical considerations such as road access, processing capacity, security, technical assistance and the availability of buyers.

Developing a successful olive industry therefore requires investment throughout the supply chain, rather than focusing exclusively on plantation numbers.

Government Targets 10 Million Olive Trees by 2030

Pakistan’s National Olive Value Chain Policy 2024–2030 aims to expand the country’s cultivated olive area to 100,000 acres and its olive tree population to 10 million by 2030.

The policy approach includes support for planting, irrigation, processing, quality assurance, branding and market development.

The government has also established the Pakistan Olive and Olive Oil Council under the Pakistan Oilseed Board. Another initiative is the national certification trademark, PakOlive, intended to identify olive oils that meet the relevant quality requirements.

These measures are important because increasing production is only one part of the challenge. Consumers and retailers also need confidence that products labelled as locally produced olive oil meet consistent standards.

Certification, traceability and appropriate testing can help distinguish verified products from oils whose origin or quality is unclear.

Why Locally Produced Olive Oil Is Still Hard to Find

Despite the growth in production, imported olive oil continues to dominate much of Pakistan’s retail market.

A 2023 domestic olive oil market study conducted under the Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project found that 74% of surveyed consumers preferred imported olive oils, while 26% favoured locally produced options. The study also identified imported products as the majority of olive oil products available in retail.

Several factors help explain this preference.

Brand recognition: Imported brands often have established reputations and familiar packaging, while many local producers are still developing their marketing and distribution.

Consumer confidence: Buyers may be uncertain about the quality, authenticity or consistency of locally available products. Reliable certification and transparent labelling can help address these concerns.

Price competition: Locally produced olive oil is not automatically cheaper than imported alternatives. Production scale, extraction costs, packaging and distribution can all affect the final price.

Limited commercial participation: Small farmers may lack the resources needed to develop brands, reach supermarkets and manage large retail orders.

Processing and quality control: Appropriate harvesting, extraction, storage and packaging are essential to maintaining the quality of olive oil. Gaps in these areas can weaken consumer confidence.

These challenges show why greater production alone may not be enough to build a strong domestic market.

The Financial Challenge of Olive Farming

Olive cultivation requires patience and long-term planning. Unlike crops that generate returns within a single growing season, olive orchards can take years to become commercially productive.

Government policy documents cited in the report indicate that olive trees may not yield fruit or generate financial returns during their first four years, while the break-even period can extend to around 10 years.

For farmers, this means significant upfront spending on land preparation, plants, irrigation, maintenance and labour before dependable income begins.

The investment period can also make the sector vulnerable when support programmes end before orchards become fully productive. Farmers in remote areas may face additional difficulties accessing technical advice, equipment and buyers.

Long-term financing, extension services, appropriate irrigation and stable market access will be important to encourage farmers to maintain their orchards and invest in higher-quality production.

Can Olive Oil Help Pakistan Reduce Edible Oil Imports?

Pakistan spends substantial amounts on imported edible oils, making domestic production an important agricultural and economic objective.

Olive cultivation could contribute to this effort, especially where trees can grow on suitable rain-fed or marginal land. However, olive oil alone cannot replace the country’s entire edible oil supply.

The size of the opportunity depends on how much productive land can be developed, the yield achieved per acre, the quality of the oil, the cost of local production and the price of competing imported products.

Olive farming can also create opportunities beyond oil production, including table olives, processed food products and olive-based personal care products. These activities could provide additional income streams for farmers and processors.

Realising that potential will require coordinated work among farmers, agricultural researchers, processors, retailers and government agencies.

What Comes Next for Pakistan’s Olive Industry?

Pakistan’s expected 716 tonnes of olive oil production in 2026 represents a substantial increase from the very small quantities produced a decade earlier. The expansion of plantations, extraction facilities and export volumes suggests that the sector is developing beyond its early research stage.

The next challenge is to turn this progress into a stable commercial industry. That will require productive orchards, reliable quality testing, better packaging, stronger consumer confidence and distribution networks that connect growers with local and international buyers.

If investment and support continue over the long term, olive cultivation could become a useful source of rural income and a contributor to Pakistan’s efforts to diversify domestic edible oil production.

For now, the reported figures are encouraging, but the industry’s long-term success will depend on whether it can overcome its commercial and logistical challenges.

Editorial note: Production, plantation, export and import figures in this article are based on a government survey and market-study figures reported by ProPakistani. The 2026 production estimate should be checked against final official data when available.