Palm oil industry in Latin America - statistics & facts
Regional leaders - Colombia
Within the region, the main producer of palm oil is Colombia. In 2022, the country produced 1.37 million metric tons of crude palm oil. Locally, most crude palm oil is sold to the edible oils and fats industry. However, it is also sold to other industry sectors, such as that of soaps and biodiesel. The rest is exported. This has resulted in Colombia being the fourth major exporter of palm oil in the world, with Brazil and the Netherlands as its major market destinations.Brazil
When it comes to consumption, in addition to Colombia, Brazil and Mexico are the biggest markets in Latin America. In 2023, Brazilians are expected to consume 930 thousand metric tons of palm oil, of which a significant share is used for industrial purposes. One of the most important Brazilian companies in the sector is Agropalma. With a workforce of over six thousand workers, it produces not only palm oil but also other derivatives, such as kernel palm oil extract and oil palm fiber.
Mexico
In contrast, the palm oil industry in Mexico is considerably smaller than that of Colombia and Brazil. However, the country has a high consumption demand, resulting in a recent increase in planted areas, despite a slight drop in 2022. The North American country is the second-main importer of the product in Latin America and Colombia’s fourth major export partner.