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Silver in New York, gold for Pakistan: How Loralai Olives is putting Balochistan on world’s Olive Oil map
A homegrown transformation in oil, taste and identity that is reshaping country’s agricultural future
- PUBLISHED: Thu 14 Aug 2025, 2:15 PM
In the rugged hills of Loralai, Balochistan, where sunlight dances over parched earth and resilience is rooted deep in the soil, a new chapter in agriculture is beginning to unfold. From this unlikely corner of Pakistan, a bottle of olive oil has traveled thousands of miles and emerged victorious on the world stage.
Loralai Olives (LO), a homegrown brand with global ambitions, has made history as the first Pakistani producer to win a Silver Award at the 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, a feat never before achieved in the country’s fledgling olive oil journey. Held annually in New York, the NYIOOC is considered the gold standard for olive oil excellence, judging entrants on purity, aroma, and flavor by a jury of global experts.
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From Balochistan to the Big Apple
“We’re proud to be Pakistan’s first olive oil brand recognised at NYIOOC,” says Shaukat Rasool, co-founder and CEO of Loralai Olives. “This isn’t just a win for us, it’s a win for the entire country. It proves that world-class quality can emerge from places like Loralai.” And that vision, of excellence blooming in overlooked places, has been the brand’s guiding light since its inception. With 40 hectares of olive orchards nestled in Loralai’s sun-drenched terrain, LO cultivates Coratina and Arbequina varieties, chosen for their adaptability to the region’s dry climate and long daylight hours. “The terroir here is unmatched,” Rasool explains. “This land was waiting for someone to listen and to see its potential.”
Sowing seeds of change
Loralai Olives didn’t sprout in isolation. Its story runs parallel to a broader agricultural shift in Pakistan, where millions of olive trees have been planted over the past decade. Supported by government-backed initiatives, the country is steadily carving its place in a global industry long dominated by Mediterranean giants.
“The idea for LO was born from this momentum,” Rasool says. “With access to subsidised irrigation systems, extraction facilities, and government-backed research, we knew the time was right to build something meaningful.” And meaningful it became. From hand-harvesting the olives at peak ripeness to cold-extracting oil in government-supported mills, every drop of LO oil is a reflection of care, science, and traditional know-how. The 2024/25 crop year yielded 4,500 litres of extra virgin olive oil, each batch tested for purity, acidity, and sensory quality, then sealed in light-protected bottles to preserve the liquid gold within.
Battling the climate
“This year, we had to harvest earlier,” Rasool recalls. “Rising temperatures meant quicker ripening, and we had to adapt on the fly to maintain quality.”
The company has adopted sustainable farming practices, from water-efficient drip irrigation to composting and organic soil management. Even the extraction process is energy-conscious, with waste kept to a bare minimum. “We’re not just cultivating olives,” says Rasool. “We’re cultivating a sustainable future for Pakistan’s agriculture.”
A ripple effect in the making
The impact of LO’s international success extends far beyond awards and exports. For the farmers in Balochistan, and increasingly in the Pothohar Plateau, LO represents possibility. The company has launched farmer training programmes, introduced modern practices, and sparked a renewed interest in olive cultivation among rural communities.
“Our win has inspired people,” Rasool shares. “Farmers now see olives not just as a crop, but as a ticket to international markets, to dignity, to progress.” Already, the company’s global recognition is opening doors to markets across the US, Middle East, and Europe, backed by robust international certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, and Halal. Plans to scale up are in motion, with Rasool confident that this is just the beginning.
“We’re ready,” he says. “This award gave us the validation we needed to build trust. Now it’s time to deliver at scale.”
More than just oil
What makes the Loralai Olives story so remarkable is its layered nature. It's about oil, yes but also about belief. About looking at a stretch of arid land and seeing potential. About standing on a global stage, not to compete, but to lead.
“We’ve always believed in the philosophy of quality over everything else,” Rasool says. “That’s how reputations are built. That’s how countries make their mark.” With growing government support, new plantations in the pipeline, and the spotlight now shining on Pakistani olives, the country may finally be on the cusp of an agricultural reawakening. Loralai Olives has emerged as a frontrunner in this new chapter for the region.