Pakistan Hosts Olive Summit to Boost Cultivation and Investment - Assalamu Alaikum
Assalamu Alaikum. Pakistan’s agriculture experts and industry stakeholders met in Islamabad for the Pakistan Olive Summit 2.0, aiming to speed up investment and innovation in the country’s growing olive sector, which officials say could bring in billions in export earnings.
The event was organized by Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited together with the National Alliance for Safe Food, and included policymakers, researchers, and international guests from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Bahrain, Spain, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Speakers at the summit shared that Pakistan has about 10 million acres of land suitable for olive farming, but only around 55,000 acres have been developed so far. Of the 1.3 billion olive saplings needed, about 7 million have been planted. Officials noted that if the sector reaches full production capacity, it could earn more than $3 billion a year from olive oil exports.
“This effort isn’t just about planting olives - it’s about creating opportunity, resilience, and prosperity,” said Muhammad Atif Hanif, CEO of Al Baraka Bank Pakistan, noting the bank’s commitment to supporting farmers, encouraging sustainable agriculture, and helping rural communities through financing and global partnerships.
Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, joined as chief guest and urged more private-sector involvement to expand olive farming and lessen reliance on imported edible oils.
The summit stressed developing the value chain, training farmers, and offering investment incentives as key steps to make olives a major source of export revenue and rural jobs.
Pakistan currently spends over $3 billion a year on edible oil imports, according to government figures. The olive industry has been pointed out as a viable alternative, especially in the northwest and Potohar areas where the climate suits olive cultivation.
May Allah grant success to efforts that support farmers and the nation’s food security. Wa alaikum assalam.
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