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Oils and Fats Information Menu  Articles for the Trade Press Chemistry of Oils and Fats Farm to Fork - Primary Source, Processing, Distribution Fatty Acid Profiles of Oils and Fats Origins and Propeties Return To Main Menu   |
Topics On This Page Coconut Oil
Corn or Maize Oil
Cottonseed Oil
Palm Kernel Oil
Palm Oil Peanut (Groundnut) Oil
Rapeseed Oil
Soyabean Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil Edible oils and fats are derived from three sources - plants, trees and animals (including fish). Plants Oilseed crops are planted or replanted annually. The acreage sown can vary considerably from year to year, depending partly on the
estimated return to the farmer compared to possible alternative crops, such as cereals. The quantity harvested will depend on the yield
which is influenced by the variety and strain of seed selected, the usage of fertilisers and pest control sprays, the vagaries of the weather
and similar related issues. Typical crops include Rapeseed, Soyabean, Sunflower, Corn (Maize), Cotton and Groundnut.
Trees Trees yielding oil bearing fruits take a few years to become established, but thereafter are capable of producing crops on an on-going
basis for many years to come. The yield obtained is subject to variation year on year, either as a result of climate considerations or due
to stress factors associated, for instance, with the size of the previous crop. A typical example of a tree yielding oil-bearing fruit
is the palm. |
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Coconut Oil The coconut palm is grown in many tropical areas, with the Philippines and Indonesia being the most important regions in terms of international trade. The white flesh of the coconut has an oil yield of up to 65%, making it the highest yielding of traditional oil-bearing materials. |
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Typical composition % Saturates 92 Common uses
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Corn or Maize Oil A liquid oil extracted from the germ (seed) of maize. The crop is
widely grown and some local production is available in many
countries, including the UK and Europe. However, the only source of
real international importance is the USA. |
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Typical composition % Saturates 15 Common uses
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Cottonseed Oil A liquid oil derived from the seed of the cotton plant and grown
primarily in China, Russia, the USA, India and Brazil. Although the
plant is grown in substantial quantities, the seed itself yields only
about 20% oil, and the majority of this is consumed in the
countries of origin, with comparatively little international trade.
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Typical composition % Saturates 28 Common uses
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Palm Kernel Oil The kernel of the palm fruit is extracted in the production of Palm
Oil. This kernel itself yields some 45% oil which is white in
colour and has possesses totally different properties from those found in Palm Oil.
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Typical composition % Saturates 83 Common uses
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Palm Oil Produced from the Oil Palm, grown in tropical climates, principally
Malaysia, Indonesia and West Africa. The Oil Palm takes about 5
years from planting to first fruiting so production of the oil cannot
be rapidly increased in line with demand. However, once established,
the trees crop continuously throughout the year, although there
are certain months when production is relatively higher than
others, and there is a tendency for the trees to become stressed
if over-cropped, which sometimes leads to a good year being
followed by a poor year.
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Typical composition % Saturates 50 Common uses
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Peanut (Groundnut) Oil Groundnuts (peanuts) for oil production are grown primarily in West Africa, South America, and China. Because there are
relatively limited supplies, and a constant high demand, Peanut Oil usually commands a considerable price premium over most
other cooking or frying oils.
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Typical composition % Saturates 22 Common uses
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Rapeseed Oil A liquid oil obtained from oilseed rape (Brassica Campestris) which grows in more northern latitudes
than any other major oil-producing plant. Rapeseed for oil production typically comes from the U.K. and
Europe, as well as from Canada (Canola). It is a popular oil in Japan, China and India.
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Typical composition % Saturates 7 Common uses
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Soyabean Oil A liquid oil extracted from the soyabean. The world's largest source of vegetable oil. Grown extensively in the U.S.A.,
as well as South America and China. The beans yield on average only 18% oil whilst the resultant meal provides a major,
high protein ingredient for animal feeds. |
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Typical composition % Saturates 15 Common uses
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Sunflower Seed Oil Obtained from the seeds within the brown hub in the centre of the sunflower. The crop is predominant in Russia, Ukraine,
Europe, Argentina and the USA. The seed contains 40-45% oil.
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Typical composition % Saturates 13 Common uses
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