LISBON/ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone in the agricultural sector by becoming a permanent member of the International Olive Council (IOC), a move expected to strengthen the country's growing olive industry and enhance its presence in the global olive market.
The development was announced during the 123rd session of the International Olive Council held in Lisbon, Portugal, where Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain represented Pakistan and officially occupied the country's permanent seat in the organisation for the first time.
Pakistan secured IOC membership in May 2026 and was subsequently invited to participate in the council's 123rd session alongside 27 other olive-producing member countries. During the meeting, Pakistan received a formal welcome from the IOC Executive Director, the Council Chairman and representatives of member states.
Addressing the session, Rana Tanveer highlighted Pakistan's rapid progress in olive cultivation and the government's efforts to transform the country into an emerging producer of high-quality olive oil.
The minister said more than 7 million olive trees have now been planted across 55,669 acres of land, while olive cultivation clusters are expanding steadily in different parts of the country.
He told the council that Pakistan has developed a comprehensive farm-to-fork value chain for the olive sector, aimed at improving production quality and increasing commercial opportunities.
According to the briefing, the country now has 51 olive oil extraction units, supported by modern processing facilities, certified nurseries, climate monitoring stations and four quality laboratories operating in accordance with International Olive Council standards.
Officials also informed the council that Pakistan has become self-sufficient in the domestic production of certified olive saplings, reducing dependence on imported planting material and strengthening the country's long-term olive development programme.