Loralai Olives has made history as the first Pakistani brand to win a Silver award at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition with its Arbequina monovarietal olive oil.
The company runs a 40-hectare farm in Loralai, Balochistan, where it grows Arbequina and Coratina olives. These olives are chosen because they are well-suited for the area’s dry, warm climate and high elevation.
The award-winning olive oil is made with high-quality control. The olives are hand-harvested when they are at their best, then processed at a cold-extraction mill supported by the government. The oil is stored in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and packaged in dark glass and ceramic bottles. Every batch is tested in the lab to meet strict international standards for acidity, purity, and flavor.
Loralai Olives thanks the government for its support, such as subsidized mills, modern irrigation systems, and free access to exhibitions, which were key to their success. The brand is also certified with ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, and Halal.
The NYIOOC award is expected to help the company grow its exports, especially to the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Loralai Olives is working on expanding its operations to other regions, like the Pothohar Plateau.
The company focuses on sustainable practices, such as drip irrigation, organic inputs, natural composting, and energy-efficient processing. These efforts help deal with climate changes and make sure that their production stays strong for years. This year, despite higher temperatures causing an earlier harvest, both the yields and quality of the olives stayed good.
Loralai Olives is also working with local farmers by offering training and technical support to help improve farming methods and increase high-quality olive oil production across Pakistan.