Crude palm oil (CPO) production in Africa and South America remains modest compared to Asia’s giants (Indonesia, Malaysia) but has been growing. In Africa, Nigeria leads production (≈1.50 million tonnes in 2023, ~2% of world output), followed by Cameroon (0.465 million tonnes), Côte d’Ivoire (0.615 million tonnes), Ghana (0.300 million tonnes), Democratic Republic of the Congo (≈0.300 million tonnes), and Sierra Leone (~0.075 million tonnes). In South America, Colombia is the largest producer (~1.875 million tonnes, 2% of world), followed by Brazil (0.585 million tonnes), Ecuador (0.450 million tonnes), and Peru (0.275 million tonnes). (These figures are based on 2023 data from the USDA/IPAD Crop Explorer.) Notably, yields in Africa lag Asian levels (e.g. the DRC averages ~1.1 t/ha vs 3.8 t/ha in Malaysia), indicating room for productivity improvements. Regional initiatives aim to close yield gaps (e.g. Côte d’Ivoire’s $440M program to introduce better seedlings and techniques).
Refined sunflower oil is one of the most widely consumed vegetable oils in the world, prized for its light taste, versatility, and high nutritional value. Extracted from sunflower seeds and refined to remove impurities, it is used in cooking, frying, baking, and food manufacturing. High-oleic variants of sunflower oil, with a favorable fatty acid profile, are particularly valued for their heart-health benefits and frying stability. While countries like Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey dominate global sunflower oil exports, new origins such as Spain, Colombia, Brazil — and increasingly South Africa — are developing their refining industries and exploring international markets.
On the supply side, Latin America remains the powerhouse: Mexico, Peru and Chile supply vast volumes of fruit and are scaling cold-press extraction for both premium and bulk markets. Africa’s avocado sector is growing rapidly as well — Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and several southern African countries are investing in processing capacity so more of the crop can be converted into value-added oil rather than exported only as fresh fruit. Trade data and industry reports show a strong uptick in export shipments, new entrants in processing, and rising interest from major agribusinesses — trends that are reshaping global avocado oil availability and pricing dynamics.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s leading soybean producers, and its unrefined (crude) soybean oil industry is expanding rapidly. Government programs (e.g. the Central Bank’s Anchor Borrowers Program) and private investment have driven soybean output into the millions of tonnes. For example, the USDA forecasts Nigeria’s soybean crush reaching 800,000 MT in 2021/22 (yielding roughly 140,000 MT of oil) as new large-scale crushers come online. Nigeria’s soybeans are grown under a strict non-GMO policy, giving its crude oil a premium niche in markets demanding identity-preserved oil. Leading local soybean processors (e.g. SALMA Oil Mills, Grand Cereals, Karma Foods, ECWA Feeds, etc.) are actively extracting oil and meal, and investments from IITA, USAID and USSEC are boosting yields and quality. Overall, Nigeria’s crude soybean oil supply is growing steadily (supported by favorable prices and farm support programs), positioning it as a viable exporter.
Our article provides clear, practical detail on how Colombian supply is structured: typical processing routes, what to expect on a certificate of analysis (FFA, peroxide value, moisture, smoke point), and the packaging and shipping formats processors commonly provide — from bulk tankers to drums and retail packs. The piece also covers real commercial advantages: flexible blending and private-label services, seasonal supply programs that complement Northern Hemisphere sourcing, and the ability to develop identity-preserved non-GMO or limited organic lots when needed.
