Oil palms are typically grown in large monocultures worldwide, and aside from the deforestation these plantations are typically associated with, water pollution from heavy chemical application is another problem. But must oil palms be grown in monocultures with heavy chemical inputs to produce a profitable crop?
Is oil palm Agroforestry a viable option in Brazil?
We feel there is a large potential for oil palm agroforestry in Brazil and globally, as it clearly provides options for enhancing ecosystem services while also reducing farmer risk, bolstering livelihoods and abating the effects of climate change.
Where did palm oil come from?
Humans used oil palms as far back as 5,000 years. In the late 1800s, archaeologists discovered a substance that they concluded was originally palm oil in a tomb at Abydos dating back to 3,000 BCE. Palm oil from Elaeis guineensis has long been recognized in West and Central African countries, used widely as a cooking oil.
Which country exports the most palm oil in the world?
Of the 60 million tonnes of oils and fats exported around the world, palm oil and palm kernel oil made up close to 60%; Malaysia, with 45% of the market share, dominated the palm oil trade. Production of palm oil that complies with voluntary sustainability standards is growing at a faster rate than conventional production.