Pakistani olive oil output to reach 716 tons in 2026, up from 19 kg in 2016

Pakistan is expected to produce about 716 tons of olive oil in 2026, up from just 19 kg in 2016, according to a government survey reported by ProPakistani. The country now has about 7.64 million olive trees on 60,456 acres in 131 districts, and estimated olive fruit production of 7,412 tons.

Where the olives grow

Balochistan's olives give about 18 kg of oil per 100 kg of fruit against 12 to 14 kg elsewhere, according to the survey, and visiting Italian experts rated its oil as international quality. There are 51 extraction units, 23 of them in Balochistan.

Imports down, but shelves are still foreign

Exports rose from 9 tons in 2020 to 249 tons in 2025, while imports fell by about a third from a 2021 peak of 4,479 tons to 2,996 tons. In the shops, though, three of every four olive products are imported, and a 2023 market study found 74% of buyers prefer imported oil. Awais Khan, chief executive of the National Alliance for Safe Food, said the main bottleneck is "branding, packaging, and marketing". Local oil is often dearer than imports.

How to buy Pakistani olive oil

Look for the PakOlive certification mark, which the Pakistan Olive and Olive Oil Council gives only to oils that pass quality checks. Extra virgin oil keeps best in a dark bottle away from the stove; use it for salads, daal tarka at low heat and parathas brushed after cooking rather than deep frying.

The plan to 2030

Under the National Olive Value Chain Policy 2024-2030, the target is 10 million trees on 100,000 acres, with free saplings and subsidies of up to 67% on plants and drip irrigation. Growers should know the catch: a tree takes about four years to bear fruit and nearly ten to break even. For the cost of cooking oil and other kitchen staples, see our price lists.