Pakistani Company Wins Top Award At World’s Largest Olive Oil Competition

Loralai Olives has become the first Pakistani brand to win Silver at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for its Arbequina monovarietal. The company operates a 40-hectare farm in Loralai, Balochistan. It cultivates Arbequina and Coratina olives selected for compatibility with the region’s dry, temperate climate and high elevation. The award-winning oil was produced through strict quality control: hand-harvesting at peak ripeness, immediate transfer to a government-supported cold-extraction mill, storage in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and packaging in dark glass and ceramic bottles. Each batch is lab-tested to meet international standards for acidity, purity, and flavor. Loralai Olives credited government support, including subsidized mills, modern irrigation systems, and free exhibition access, as critical to its success. The brand is ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, and Halal certified. The NYIOOC award is expected to accelerate exports, particularly to the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Loralai Olives is scaling operations and expanding to other regions, including the Pothohar Plateau. The company promotes sustainable practices like drip irrigation, organic inputs, natural composting, and energy-efficient processing to counter climate variability and ensure long-term viability. Rising temperatures caused an earlier harvest this year, but yields and quality remained strong. Loralai Olives is also working with local farmers through training and technical support to improve practices and expand high-quality production nationwide.