Nigeria, the world fifth largest palm oil producer, consumes around two million tonnes of palm oil per year, half of which is imported, with local output at 800,000 to one million tonnes. Hefer said the big players like Okomu account for just 30 percent of local production, while small growers represent 70 percent.
Why is oil palm cultivated in the southern part of Nigeria?
Oil palm is usually cultivated in the southern part of Nigeria due to the favourable climatic condition in this location. The oil palm tree or crop produces a lot of things. It produces palm oil from the palm fruit bunches. It also produces Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) from the palm kernels. The nuts in the palm kernels can be eaten by human and animals.
What are the different types of palm oil in Nigeria?
Three varieties of Oil palm are available in Nigeria; namely Dura, Pisifera and Tenera. The preferred variety among palm oil farmers in Nigeria is the hybrid Tenera which is a crossbreed of the Dura (female) and the Pisifera (male).
Is palm olein tainted in Nigeria?
Presently, crude palm oil is imported for refining in Nigeria, although some quantities of refined bleached and deodorized palm olein are being disguised as crude palm oil and acid oils. Sometimes RBD palm olein is tainted with about 0.03% of crude palm olein and imported into the country as crude palm oil.