- Palm oil is the most widely consumed vegetable oil in the world, accounting for a third of global vegetable oil consumption
- According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) this amounts to about 47 million metric tonnes
- Global demand for palm oil has grown on average by 7% per annum over the past decade
- There is a ready local as well as foreign market for the product as seen in the high demand for palm oil in Asia and biofuel in Europe
- Nigeria used to be the largest exporter of oil palm products until 1934 when the country was surpassed by Malaysia
- Total annual demand for palm oil in Nigeria is estimated to be about 1.9 million metric tonnes while the country’s production is estimated at 850,000 metric tonnes
- The fruit can be grown effectively near the equator
Industry Overview



