We believed world-class olive oil could come from Pakistan — now the world believes it too.
Loralai Olives didn’t win a silver award they made history. This small but determined team from Balochistan became the first-ever Pakistani brand to win at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition the largest and most prestigious olive oil contest in the world.
And in doing so, they proved three powerful things:
- Pakistan has the potential to compete globally in quality agriculture.
- With the right conditions and support, rural Balochistan can flourish.
- One local brand can change the way the world sees Pakistani produce.
Let’s dig into why this moment matters so much and what it means for the future.
Planting a Dream in the Hills of Balochistan
It all started with a question: Why can’t Pakistan produce premium olive oil?
Shaukat Rasool, CEO and founder of Loralai Olives, didn’t ask he acted. With over 40 hectares of carefully selected Coratina and Arbequina olive trees, grown under ideal soil and climate conditions in Loralai, he set out to prove that quality doesn’t need to come from Italy or Spain.
It can come from Pakistan.
“This region has so much potential,” Rasool said. “The dry climate, rich soil, and strong sunlight give us olives with amazing flavor and high oil content.”
He adds, “We dreamed of Pakistan being recognized among the leading olive-producing nations. To achieve that, it was clear that a top-class, internationally competitive brand was necessary.”
Precision, Passion, and Purity – The Essence Behind the Award
Winning at NYIOOC wasn’t luck. It was the result of obsession-level detail: from hand-picking the olives at just the right stage, to extracting the oil within hours in a government supported mill, to storing it in temperature controlled tanks, and finally packaging it in dark glass to protect flavor and nutrients.
Every single bottle is tested to meet strict international standards of purity, acidity, and sensory quality.
“We monitor our orchards daily. The fruit must be healthy, free from faults, and harvested at the perfect stage of ripeness,” Rasool said. “From orchard to mill, we keep everything controlled.”
“Our monocultivar Arbequina is known for its fruity flavor — subtle notes of green apple, almond, and fresh herbs — and a light, sweet aroma of green leaves and tropical fruits.”
Why This Win Isn’t Just About One Brand?
Loralai Olives’ award is bigger than a trophy. It’s validation for an entire agricultural movement happening quietly in Pakistan. Thanks to public-private partnerships and government initiatives, millions of olive trees have been planted across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
“The government has supported us with olive plants, drip irrigation, modern extraction facilities, and cold storage infrastructure,” Rasool explained. “It’s laid the foundation for a real industry.”
Loralai Olives is now showing what’s possible when modern farming meets vision. The impact is already visible farmers are gaining confidence, exploring sustainable olive cultivation, and improving their incomes.
“Our success has motivated many farmers to adopt better practices,” Rasool said. “It’s not just about us. It’s about rural prosperity.”
Climate Challenges, Local Solutions
This year, rising temperatures led to an earlier-than-usual harvest a sign of climate change that Rasool and his team had to adapt to quickly.
“The heat sped up the ripening process,” he explained. “But by staying alert and adjusting our harvest schedule, we maintained quality.”
He’s quick to point out the need for long-term solutions. “Climate change is real, and we need more adaptive practices, better technology, and stronger support systems to keep improving.”
Sustainability is at the core of Loralai Olives. They use drip irrigation to save water, organic methods to protect soil health, and cold extraction methods to reduce energy use and preserve oil quality.
“Our orchards focus on biodiversity,” Rasool added. “We use composting, natural cover crops, and we minimize synthetic inputs. It’s about protecting the environment and the product.”
What’s Next? Going Global
With international certifications like ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, and Halal and now, an NYIOOC silver medal Loralai Olives is preparing to scale.
“We’re targeting exports to the US, Middle East, and Europe,” Rasool shared. “The award helps us build trust with global distributors and retail partners.”
“We anticipate this achievement will boost our brand credibility and open doors for collaborations, premium retail placements, and powerful storytelling around quality and origin.”
But the mission goes deeper.
“Loralai Olives is engaging with local communities, offering training and support,” Rasool said. “We’re helping farmers improve quality, increase yields, and grow with us.”
The goal? A self-sustaining, high-quality olive oil industry born in Pakistan, respected worldwide.
Here’s to the Hills of Loralai — and What They Represent
This win isn’t only about olive oil. It’s about the power of belief. About what happens when a farmer in Balochistan says “Why not us?” and proves it to the world. It’s about rewriting Pakistan’s story one bottle at a time. As Rasool said:
“It reaffirms a belief we have carried from day one: with passion, precision, and purity, world-class quality can rise from anywhere — even from the remote hills of Balochistan.”
And maybe the next time someone talks about premium olive oil, they won’t just think of Spain or Italy. They’ll think of Pakistan and the bold team behind Loralai Olives.
