10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil
10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil
10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil- According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT)
in 2026, there are 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil in 2023.
These countries have abundant production of Palm Oil and own million hectares of oil palm trees in their territory. Commonly, the production of palm oil has been used to
fulfil domestic consumption and some of the production can be exported to other
countries. Functionally, many people use palm oil as cooking oil, Soap,
Consumer goods products (Soap, shampoo, and others), and biodiesel.
The
Palm Oil can be obtained from African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis
Jacq). Compared to other vegetable oil, it is currently the most widely
consumed vegetable oil in the world. This plant can be classified into Order:
Arecales; Family: Arecaceae; Subfamily: Arecoideae; Tribe: Cocoseae; Genus:
Elaeis. Because of the classification into arecaceae family, this plant has
close relationship with date (Phoenix dactylifera), sago palm (Metroxylon),
Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Rattan (Calamus), Nipa Palm (Nypa).
The World’s Production of Palm Oil From 1961 to 2023
|
Years |
World's
Production of Palm Oil |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
1961 |
1,478,901 |
|
1962 |
1,475,941 |
|
1963 |
1,535,070 |
|
1964 |
1,570,032 |
|
1965 |
1,576,213 |
|
1966 |
1,666,205 |
|
1967 |
1,669,217 |
|
1968 |
1,823,724 |
|
1969 |
1,942,471 |
|
1970 |
1,937,339 |
|
1971 |
2,159,330 |
|
1972 |
2,308,616 |
|
1973 |
2,412,388 |
|
1974 |
2,810,191 |
|
1975 |
3,130,953 |
|
1976 |
3,321,918 |
|
1977 |
3,561,794 |
|
1978 |
3,840,547 |
|
1979 |
4,528,449 |
|
1980 |
5,082,953 |
|
1981 |
5,295,847 |
|
1982 |
6,173,947 |
|
1983 |
5,806,853 |
|
1984 |
6,822,507 |
|
1985 |
7,585,207 |
|
1986 |
8,275,833 |
|
1987 |
8,536,727 |
|
1988 |
9,293,011 |
|
1989 |
10,787,059 |
|
1990 |
11,449,105 |
|
1991 |
11,879,204 |
|
1992 |
12,857,624 |
|
1993 |
14,155,115 |
|
1994 |
14,719,162 |
|
1995 |
15,935,864 |
|
1996 |
17,009,521 |
|
1997 |
18,284,798 |
|
1998 |
18,216,018 |
|
1999 |
20,736,371 |
|
2000 |
22,227,769 |
|
2001 |
24,835,758 |
|
2002 |
26,136,149 |
|
2003 |
28,677,264 |
|
2004 |
30,062,437 |
|
2005 |
32,268,253 |
|
2006 |
39,421,909 |
|
2007 |
39,762,987 |
|
2008 |
42,352,909 |
|
2009 |
43,871,700 |
|
2010 |
45,710,770 |
|
2011 |
49,521,786 |
|
2012 |
52,773,068 |
|
2013 |
55,390,102 |
|
2014 |
58,010,841 |
|
2015 |
60,771,846 |
|
2016 |
58,612,569 |
|
2017 |
69,625,507 |
|
2018 |
72,311,376 |
|
2019 |
79,212,947 |
|
2020 |
76,176,033 |
|
2021 |
80,710,631 |
|
2022 |
79,031,128 |
|
2023 |
79,567,199 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Statistically,
based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) Database in 2026, the
production of Palm Oil From time to time has Increased gradually. In 1961, the
production was just 1.47
million tons. After more than 60 years, precisely in 2023, it has become 79.5
million tons. This growth in production is positively correlated with huge
demand for Industrial products such as cooking oil, raw material in some health
industries, cosmetics industry, and fuel
industry from time to time.
Based
on the geographical regions, there are some major areas of palm oil production.
In continental regions, Asia still becomes the biggest area of palm oil
production with 69 million tons of Palm Oil Output in 2023 or contributing more
than 80% of world’s palm oil production in 2023. Furthermore, the American region is second place with
production of around 5.9 million tons and Africa in third with production of
around 3.5 million tons.
The World’s Production of Palm Oil in 2023 Based on Continent
|
Continental
|
Production
of Palm Oil in 2023 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
3,544,261 |
|
Americas |
5,914,411 |
|
Asia |
69,307,526 |
|
Oceania |
801,000 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
According
to Country’s producers, there are
10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil in 2023. All this data was
obtained from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026.
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil
|
Ranks |
Country |
Production
of Palm Oil in 2023 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
Indonesia |
47,084,299 |
|
2 |
Malaysia |
18,551,950 |
|
3 |
Thailand |
3,323,200 |
|
4 |
Colombia |
1,841,880 |
|
5 |
Nigeria |
1,460,000 |
|
6 |
Guatemala |
933,926 |
|
7 |
Papua New Guinea |
770,000 |
|
8 |
Honduras |
655,000 |
|
9 |
Brazil |
637,353 |
|
10 |
Côte d'Ivoire |
562,465 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil
1.Indonesia
Indonesia
still becomes the world’s biggest country producer of Palm Oil in 2023 and
contributes around 60% of the world's total palm oil supply. According to FAO
Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Palm Oil from
Indonesia reached 47 million tons. Statistically, according to BPS-Statistics
Indonesia, National Indonesia Statistics Bureau in 2023, The total area of oil palms in Indonesia in
2023 reached 15.93 million hectares. Specifically, in Indonesia, the major
areas of oil palm plantation/ orchard can be found in the some province, namely
Riau with total areas of oil palm orchard/ plantation of 3.40 million hectares
(ha), Kalimantan Tengah with 2.17 million hectares, Kalimantan barat with 2.13
million hectares, Kalimantan Timur with 1.49 million hectares, Sumatera Utara
with 1.35 million hectares, Sumatera Selatan with 1.24 million hectares. In
terms of usage, most of the palm oil in
Indonesia is used in biodiesel production and
food industries especially as cooking oil. Compared to other nations, in 2023,
the average Indonesian People consumed approximately 9.56 kilograms (kg) of
cooking oil per capita annually and still became the world's largest consumer of palm oil. Despite fulfilling domestic consumption, Indonesia also exported its palm oil
to other nations especially India, China, and Pakistan and it contributes 75%
to total plantation commodity exports.
2.Malaysia
Malaysia
is the become the 2nd biggest country producer of Palm Oil in
2023 and contributed around 24% of
world’s production of palm oil. Statistically,
according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of
Palm Oil in 2023 from Malaysia reached 18,551,950 tons. Geographically, In the
year of 2022, according to the data from Kementerian Perladangan dan Komoditi
(KPK) Malaysia, total plantation/ orchard areas of oil palm in Malaysia reached
5.6 million hectares (Ha). Specifically, in Malaysia, some areas of oil palm can be found in several states. Sarawak and
Sabah still become the main regions of plantation area with total
hectares of oil palm reaching 1.6 million hectares (Ha) and 1.5 million
hectares (Ha), respectively. Furthermore, in Peninsular Malaysia, or West Malaysia, some regions of oil palm
plantation can be found in Pahang with total plantation areas around 749
thousand hectares (Ha), Johor with 676 thousand hectares (Ha), and Perak
with 352 thousand hectares (Ha). Functionally, most of the palm oil in Malaysia
is exported to other nations and just small
portions of harvested palm oil is used for domestic consumption. Globally, in 2022, around more than 15
million tons with the value around Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 82 billion of palm
oil is exported to some foreign nations. Meanwhile, in domestic, just a
small portion of production is used to fulfill domestic consumption and most of palm oil in
Malaysia is used in the food industry as
cooking oil and some of other usage as baked goods, instant noodles, and
confectioneries.
3.Thailand
Thailand
is the 3rd world’s biggest country producer of Palm Oil in
2023. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production
of Palm Oil from Thailand reached 3.3 million tons. During the last 10 years,
from 2012 to 2021, Thailand's oil palm planted area increased sharply from 701,728
hectares (ha) in 2012 to 1,018,777 hectares (ha) in 2021. Geographically,
around 85% of Thailand's planted area of oil palm is located in the Southern Region with the top 5 planting provinces
are Surat Thani, Krabi, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phang Nga.
Functionally, palm oil was used for biodiesel, cooking, and other industrial
uses at approximately 49%, 32%, and 19%, respectively (Sowcharoensuk, 2020).
4.Colombia
Columbia
is the world’s 4th biggest country producer of Palm Oil in 2023. According to FAOSTAT, the production of
Columbia’s Palm Oil reached 1.8 million tons. Commonly, Colombia has more than
596 thousand hectares cultivated with palm oil 75% of the palm oil sector is represented by small-scale producers.
Geographically, the main oil palm cultivation areas in Colombia can be found in
the Central Area with planted areas around 242
thousand hectares (ha) and the Northern Area
with planted areas around 279 thousand hectares (ha). Specifically, in 2019
around 96% of the net area planted with oil palm is distributed in nine
departments including Meta (28.5%), Santander (44.2%), Cesar (15.3%), Magdalena
(25.9%), Casanare (10.5%), Bolívar (16.7%), Norte de Santander (4.6%), Nariño
(8.4%), Antioquia (1.0%) (Ciravegna et al., 2024). Functionally, Colombia's palm oil exports have increased over the years to account
for about 40-45% of Colombia's total palm oil production with the main destination countries being Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Mexico. In domestic usage, Palm oil is widely utilized across the Colombian
food industry for cooking oils, margarines, baked goods, and confectioneries.
5.Nigeria
Nigeria
is the 5th biggest country producer of Palm Oil in 2023.
According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of
Palm Oil from Nigeria reached 1,460,000 tons. Geographically, Abia, Anambra,
Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Eboniyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Ondo, Ogun,
Osun, Oyo, Imo, and Rivers are some of the regional areas in Nigeria that
become major production of palm oil. Specifically, based on its
agribusiness structure, over 80% of Nigeria’s production of palm oil comes from
smallholder farmers. Functionally, around 90% of Nigeria's palm oil is used for the food industry and the remaining 10% for the non-food industry. In terms of genetics, the three varieties of Oil palm are planted in Nigeria,
namely Dura, Pisifera and Tenera.
6.Guatemala
Guatemala
is the 6th biggest country producer of Palm Oil in 2023.
Statistically, based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database, the production of Palm Oil
from Guatemala reached 933 thousand tons. Geographically, in Guatemala, the
major area production of palm oil can be found in Peten, Izabal, Alta Verapaz,
and Escuintla departments/ regions. Specifically, Petén contributed around 47% of Guatemala's total
palm oil production followed by Izabal and Alta Verapaz, both regions making up roughly 28% of the national output. Furthermore,
related to structural industries, more than 80% of Guatemala’s harvested palm
is exported and sold to multinational companies, including Cargill, Unilever,
Mondelez and PepsiCo. Overall, oil palm still becomes one of the most important industries in
Guatemala, accounting for about 1% of Guatemala’s gross domestic product (GDP)
and 4% of the country’s total export volume in 2018 (Hervas, 2018).
7.Papua New Guinea
Papua
New Guinea is the 7th world’s biggest country producer of Palm
Oil in 2023. According to the FAO Statistical Corporate Database, the production of Palm Oil
from Papua New Guinea reached 770 thousand
tons. Geographically, In Papua New Guinea, there are some major production
areas of Palm Oil. These provinces include Oro, West New Britain, Sandaun,
Milne Bay, and New Ireland. In terms of economic contribution, Palm oil still
becomes the largest agricultural export, generating more than USD 488 million. Structurally,
around 40% of the total oil palm estate/ plantation in Papua New Guinea (PNG)
is owned by smallholders.
8.Honduras
Honduras
is the 8th world’s biggest country producer of Palm Oil.
According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of
Palm Oil reached 655 thousand tons with total areas around 202,000 hectares
(ha). Geographically, in Honduras, there is a
major area production of palm oil. These areas
include Colon, Cortes, Yoro, Atlántida, and Santa Barbara regions.
Structurally, more than 60% of the planted area of oil palm in Honduras is
managed by small producers with which manage the oil palm agricultural land
from 1 to 25 hectares (ha) (Linares, 2024).
9. Brazil
Brazil
is the 9th world’s biggest country producer of Palm oil in 2023.
According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of
Pal Oil from Brazil reached 637 thousand tons. Geographically, in this country,
the main regions of palm oil production are in Pará.
10.Côte d’Ivoire
Côte
d’Ivoire is the next biggest producer of Palm oil from South Africa.
Statistically, the production of Palm Oil from this country reached 562
thousand tons. Geographically, in the Cote d’Ivoire the major area production
of palm oil can be found in Aboisso, Abidjan, Sassandra, San-Pedro, and Soubre.
Histogram Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Palm Oil
FAOSTAT.
2026. Production share of Palm oil by region 2023. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on March 6th, 2026.
BPS-Statistics
Indonesia. 2026. Oil Palm Plantation Area by Province (Thousand Hectare) 2023.
Accessed via https://www.bps.go.id/en/statistics-table/2/MTMxIzI=/luas-tanaman-perkebunan-menurut-provinsi.html
on March 17th, 2026.
Kementerian Perladangan dan Komoditi (KPK) Malaysia. 2026. Data Statistics and Commodities 2022.
Accessed via https://www.kpk.gov.my/kpk/images/mpi_statistik/2023_statistik_on_commodity/Sawit_2023.pdf on
March 17th, 2026.
Sowcharoensuk,
C. 2020. Thailand industry outlook 2020-22 palm oil industry. Krungsri
Research. Bangkok.
Ciravegna,
E., Ingram, V., Naranjo, M. A., Cocchini, S., Herrera, N., Weitkamp, T., &
Quality–LNV, F. Palm oil sector in Colombia. Wageningen University and
Research.
Hervas, A.
(2021). Mapping oil palm-related land use change in Guatemala, 2003–2019:
Implications for food security. Land Use Policy, 109, 105657.
Linares, F.
(2024). Deforestation-Free Palm Oil in Honduras: Challenges, Needs, and
Opportunities. In Agricultural Sciences. IntechOpen.
https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113232