Palm oil bets on new markets in Europe

With an annual export increase of 7%, the oil palm industry intends to expand its market niches. Europe and the reinforcement of shipments to the United States are new challenges.

Last year, the country produced 556,000 tons of oil on a surface of 280,000 hectares, of which 55% was exported. Silvana Peñaherrera, executive director of the Asociación Nacional de Cultivadores de Palma Aceitera (Ancupa), argues that productivity growth in the sector, driven by efficiency efforts, occurs at a higher rate than domestic consumption (which is 1,5% per annum). That is why the option of crossing borders becomes essential.

However, she admits that reaching new markets is not so simple, especially when the number of international campaigns discourage the consumption of palm oil to promote the purchase of other types of oil. However, “every time there are more studies that show the contrary. It is proven that unlike other oils, palm oil does not require chemical absolvents,” claims Peñaherrera. (I)