The typical crude palm oil extraction rate (OER) during the milling process is in the region of 18¨C23% by weight to FFB, while the palm kernel extraction rate (KER) ranges between 4 and 6%. The simplified palm oil extraction process is shown in Fig. 8.3. The basic quality parameters for palm products are tabulated in Table 8-B. Fig. 8.3.
How much oil is extracted from palm kernels?
The oil palm produces bunches containing many fruits with the fleshy mesocarp enclosing a kernel that is covered by a very hard shell. The FAO considers palm oil (coming from the pulp) and palm kernels to be primary products. The oil extraction rate from a bunch varies from 17 to 27% for palm oil, and from 4 to 10% for palm kernels.
How to improve the sustainability of palm oil production in Malaysia?
Presently, tremendous efforts have been devoted to improving the sustainability of palm oil production. One strategy is to improve the oil extraction rate (OER) during the milling process. The average OER in Malaysia has remained stagnant between 19 and 21% for the past 40 years.
Where is palm oil produced?
Currently, palm oil is primarily produced in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia and Malaysia account for approximately 84% of the world¡¯s production (USDA 2019). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the demand for palm oil is anticipated to hit 156 million tonnes by 2050 (Officer 2016).