Palm Oil Production per Capitaby Country

Palm Oil Production per Capita — Palm oil production per capita refers to the annual quantity of palm oil produced by a country relative to its population, measured in kilograms or grams per person. This indicator represents the average palm oil production contribution per individual and helps assess production intensity, agricultural productivity, and the relative importance of palm oil cultivation within a country's agriculture sector. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-level time series, with values reported annually for the selected period. The data is based on global food production statistics and provides comparable production measurements across countries and years. Inclusions: The data includes annual palm oil production volumes adjusted according to population size for each country, covering the production of palm oil from agricultural activities during the selected period. It includes country-level production estimates reported on a per capita basis and captures changes resulting from variations in cultivation, plantation output, agricultural productivity, and population growth. The indicator covers palm oil production trends from 2015 to 2023, enabling comparisons of production performance across regions and countries. The dataset includes values expressed in kilograms or grams per capita depending on the reporting unit and provides historical production trends for agricultural analysis. Exclusions: The data excludes palm oil consumption, imports, exports, processing volumes, and market demand indicators. It does not represent individual consumption levels or availability of palm oil within a country. The indicator does not measure plantation area, yield per hectare, production costs, or economic value generated from palm oil production. It also excludes other vegetable oils and agricultural commodities that are not classified as palm oil. Differences between countries may occur due to variations in agricultural practices, climatic conditions, production systems, and population sizes. The indicator focuses only on production output relative to population and does not capture broader environmental, social, or trade-related impacts associated with palm oil production.

This indicator provides a population-adjusted view of palm oil production intensity, enabling analysis of global production trends while accounting for changes in population size over time.

Palm oil is one of the world’s most widely produced vegetable oils and plays a significant role in the global agricultural economy. Production is concentrated mainly in tropical regions, particularly Asia, where countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia contribute a major share of global output. Other regions, including Africa, South America, and Oceania, also contribute to global palm oil supply through commercial plantations and agricultural production systems. Global per capita production reflects the combined impact of changes in cultivation area, plantation productivity, technological improvements, and population growth.

Between 2015 and 2023, global palm oil production per capita showed variations influenced by factors such as weather conditions, agricultural policies, commodity prices, expansion of oil palm plantations, sustainability initiatives, and shifts in global demand. Changes in production efficiency and output levels across major producing countries directly affected global per capita production trends during the period.

This indicator provides valuable insights into global agricultural productivity, commodity supply patterns, and the importance of palm oil within the international vegetable oil market. It supports researchers, policymakers, agribusinesses, and investors in evaluating long-term production trends, regional contributions, and changes in agricultural output intensity. The data helps understand the evolving role of palm oil in food, industrial applications, and biofuel markets while providing a standardized basis for comparing production performance across different years and regions.