Economic facts: what Colombian oil palm sector has done
PRODUCTIVITY
Palm oil is the most consumed oil in the world. In 2017, the worldwide demand for oils and fats amounted to 215 million tonnes, of which 34% was for palm oils. Palm Oil require up to 8.8 times less land than other oilseed crops to meet the worldwide demand for oils and fats.
OIL PALM PRODUCTION WORLDWIDE
Colombia has more than 
thousand hectares cultivated with oil palm; none of those in the Amazon region. It is the fourth-largest producer of crude palm oil, the first in the Americas. It has 2% of the world’s production and more than 1.6 million tonnes in 2017, which represents an increase of 42% compared to 2016. An agro-industry that continuously reinvents itself, driven to export. In 2017, 50% of its production was export.
LAND REQUIREMENT PER OILSEED CROP TO MEET THE WORLDWIDE DEMAND FOR OILS AND FATS
Food products
Some of its benefits:
• Naturally free of trans fats
• Rich in vitamin A
• Source of vitamin E
• Reduces cholesterol levels
• Ideal for frying due to its resistance to high temperatures
Well-being
A highly versatile product with a wide range of uses for home and personal care
Energy
The area currently under oil palm cultivation has the potential to generate 340MW from biomass; the equivalent to that of a hydroelectric power plant. 28% of its production goes to the local biodiesel market, a biofuel that reduces greenhouse gases by up to 84%.
