Rising to a series high
South America Palm Oil Production per Capita moved from 7.21 Kilogram in 2015 to 9.63 Kilogram in 2023 (+33.6%), an average of +3.7% a year. The series high was 9.63 Kilogram in 2023 and the low 7.17 Kilogram in 2016.
What South America Palm Oil Production per Capita shows
South America Palm Oil Production per Capita was 9.63 Kilogram in 2023, up 5.9% on 2022. The South America Palm Oil Production Kilogram per Capita indicator measures the average amount of palm oil produced per person across South American countries during 2015 to 2023. The indicator is calculated by dividing total palm oil production by the population of each country and is expressed in kilograms per capita.
A 25.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 2.46 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was +15% in 2017.
Colombia leads the region
Within South America, Colombia has the highest value in 2023 at 35.20 Kilogram.
Country ranking
Palm Oil Production per Capita by country, 2023
Kilogram. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Palm Oil Production per Capita by region
Kilogram, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
South America Palm Oil Production per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 9.63 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | 9.09 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 9.03 | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 8.59 | +6.9% |
| 2019 | 8.04 | −3.8% |
| 2018 | 8.35 | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 8.25 | +15% |
| 2016 Trough | 7.17 | −0.5% |
| 2015 | 7.21 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
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.
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.
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.
About this indicator
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.
It provides a population-adjusted assessment of palm oil production intensity, enabling meaningful comparisons between countries with different production capacities and population sizes.
South America has a growing palm oil production industry, with production concentrated mainly in Colombia and Ecuador, which are among the region’s key palm oil producers. Favorable climatic conditions, availability of agricultural land, and increasing investments in oil palm cultivation have supported the expansion of the sector. Other countries, including Brazil and Venezuela, contribute to regional production but maintain comparatively lower per capita output levels due to differences in plantation scale, agricultural focus, and production infrastructure.
Between 2015 and 2023, South America’s palm oil production per capita demonstrated gradual growth, reflecting improvements in cultivation practices, increased plantation productivity, and rising demand for vegetable oils. Colombia showed strong production intensity throughout the period, supported by its established palm oil industry and export-oriented production model. Ecuador also maintained significant production levels, while regional variations were influenced by factors such as weather conditions, disease management, market prices, and sustainability-related developments.
This indicator provides valuable insights into agricultural productivity, regional commodity production trends, and the contribution of South America to the global palm oil supply chain. It supports analysis by policymakers, researchers, agribusinesses, and investors in understanding production efficiency, country-level differences, and long-term industry trends. The data also helps evaluate the role of palm oil in regional agriculture, rural economic development, and the evolving demand for sustainable vegetable oil production.
- Indicator
- Palm Oil Production per Capita
- Region
- South America
- Unit
- Kilogram
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is South America 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.
What was South America Palm Oil Production per Capita in 2023?
South America Palm Oil Production per Capita was 9.63 Kilogram in 2023, up 5.9% on 2022.
How has South America Palm Oil Production per Capita changed between 2015 and 2023?
South America Palm Oil Production per Capita moved from 7.21 Kilogram in 2015 to 9.63 Kilogram in 2023 (+33.6%), an average of +3.7% a year. The series high was 9.63 Kilogram in 2023 and the low 7.17 Kilogram in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest South America Palm Oil Production per Capita?
The highest value was 9.63 Kilogram in 2023 and the lowest was 7.17 Kilogram in 2016.
What does the South America Palm Oil Production per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: 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. Excluded: 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.
Where does the South America Palm Oil Production per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..2023&Food=Palm+oil&Metric=Production&Per+capita=true&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Kilogram.
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