Global Vegetable Oil Production: Egypt's Opportunities

Egypt and its olive oil production ambitions

In the midst of meetings on the presidential national project for the initiative to plant 100 million olive trees in Egypt and the follow-up of agricultural programs related to water consumption and the use of fertilizers and pesticides, the name of the professor stands out Mohammed Abu Al-Majd and the doctor Amr Al-HilaliThey are two of the largest investors in Siwa in the “Janayen Siwa” project. They are taking steady steps in this sector by adopting advanced techniques in the cultivation of olive trees.

This progress raises an important question: can Egypt become one of the largest producers of olive oil in the world? Looking at the global scene in 2024, we find that Spain It leads production with 1.3 million tons, followed by Tunisia The sister is in second place with 340 thousand tons, then Turkey Third with 300 thousand tons, while Greece and Italy saw a decline. Egypt's production, which reached 45 thousand tons It opens the horizons of hope. With an ambitious national project, Egypt can join the list of top producers in the world, which will contribute to increasing exports and supporting the national economy.

A look at the world's top vegetable oil producers (2024-2025)

After we have learned about the major olive oil producers, let's take a look at the other most important vegetable oil producing countries in the world.

World vegetable oil production for 2024/2025 has reached record numbers. These oils include: Palm oil, soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, coconut and others. It is noted that a few countries dominate global production, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in palm oil, China, the United States, Brazil and Argentina in soybeans, and Russia and Ukraine in sunflower.

1. Indonesia

• Estimated production: 46 - 54 million tons.
• The main product: Crude and refined palm oil.
• notes: Indonesia produces the largest amount of palm oil in the world by a significant difference. Palm oil and palm kernel account for the largest share of its production.

2. China

• Estimated production: 18 - 25 million tons.
• The main product: Soybean oil (the largest in the world), and rapeseed oil.
• notes: It has a huge production capacity of soybeans and rapeseed, in addition to mixtures of sunflower oil and peanuts.

3. Malaysia

• Estimated production: About 19 million tons.
• The main product: Palm oil and palm kernel oil.
• notes: Malaysia, together with Indonesia, accounts for the vast majority of world palm oil production and is characterized by scientific development and research in this sector.

4. USA

• Estimated production: 13 - 15 million tons.
• The main product: soybean oil and other seed oils.
• notes: The largest producer and exporter of soybean oil, and its production is closely linked to the area of land planted with soybeans.

5. Brazil

• Estimated production: About 13 million tons.
• The main product: soybean oil.
• notes: The rapid expansion of soybean cultivation has placed it among the largest producers, and most of its production is used locally or exported, making it a driver of the economy.

6. Argentina

• Estimated production: 11-12 million tons.
• The main product: soybean oil.
• notes: Argentina's oil sector depends mainly on exports of refined soybean oil.

7. Indies

• Estimated production: 8-13 million tons.
• The main product: Refined oils (peanuts, mustard, rapeseed, soybeans) and limited amounts of palm oil.
• notes: Despite being a large producer, it is still a net importer of oils due to its high volume of consumption, and imports huge amounts of palm, soy and sunflower oils.

8. Russia

• Estimated production: 12 - 14 million tons.
• The main product: sunflower oil.
• notes: Russia and Ukraine dominate global sunflower oil production, with Russia's share exceeding in 2024 thanks to increased production and expansion of extraction units.

9. Ukraine

• Estimated production: 4 - 5 million tons.
• The main product: sunflower oil.
• notes: Historically, it was one of the largest producers of sunflower oil in the world, but its production has now declined behind Russia due to security conditions and delays in agricultural operations.

10. Thailand

• Estimated production: 3 - 4 million tons.
• The main product: palm oil.
• notes: It is one of the largest regional producers of palm oil after Indonesia and Malaysia.

A promising future

With will, determination and the application of science, Egypt can achieve its goal. With the expansion of olive tree cultivation, the future seems promising to achieve this goal.

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