By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan's olive oil industry has earned another international accolade after Loralai Olives (LO) won a Gold Medal at the Dubai International Olive Oil Competition (DUBAIOOC) 2026, reinforcing the country's growing reputation as an emerging producer of premium extra virgin olive oil and opening new export opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

"Our extra virgin olive oil has won the Gold Award at one of the world's most prestigious olive oil competitions, where entries from across the globe were evaluated by an international panel of olive oil specialists and executive chefs from some of Dubai's leading restaurants, including Michelin-starred chefs," Shaukat Rasool, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Loralai Olives, told Wealth Pakistan.

The latest achievement makes Loralai Olives the first Pakistani olive oil brand to win four major international quality awards for its extra virgin olive oil. The company had earlier secured honours at the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC 2025), the London International Olive Oil Competition (London IOOC 2026) and the Berlin Global Olive Oil Awards (Berlin GOOA 2026).

Shaukat Rasool described the latest award as a milestone not only for his company but also for Pakistan's olive oil industry, noting that Loralai Olives remains the only company from Pakistan and South Asia to receive recognition at all four leading international olive oil competitions.

He said the recognition comes at an important time as demand for premium olive oil continues to grow across the Gulf region. The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's fastest-growing olive oil markets, is projected to reach a value of US$404 million by 2030.

"We are already present in the UAE market, and this award will significantly strengthen our expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries across Africa and the wider MENA region," he said.

He added that the award-winning oil was produced from the Arbequina olive variety, which had previously received international recognition in New York, demonstrating the consistency of the company's product quality.

The award also strengthens the company's commercial prospects in the Gulf. Loralai Olives entered the UAE market earlier this year, becoming the first Pakistani and South Asian olive oil brand to establish a commercial presence there.

Shaukat Rasool said the company's target of increasing exports to US$500,000 by the end of 2026 remains achievable, as stronger international recognition is expected to support retail expansion and new distribution partnerships across the region.

He believes Pakistan's olive oil industry has the potential to emerge as a significant export sector capable of generating substantial foreign exchange earnings if commercial-scale production, modern processing and international branding continue to expand.

Unlike traditional olive oil exporters such as Spain, Italy and Greece, Pakistan is positioning itself as a niche producer of premium extra virgin olive oil derived from olives cultivated in the high-altitude regions of Balochistan, Pothohar in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where favourable climatic conditions and mineral-rich soils contribute to distinctive flavour characteristics.

The latest recognition also comes shortly after Pakistan joined the International Olive Council (IOC), a development expected to strengthen quality standards, improve international credibility and enhance the country's competitiveness in global olive oil markets.

Industry observers believe that as Pakistani olive oil continues to gain international recognition, the sector is well placed to expand exports, attract new buyers and establish Pakistan as an emerging supplier of premium extra virgin olive oil in high-value international markets.

Credit: INP-WealthPk