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Palm kernel oil: a vegetable oil extracted from the inner kernel of the oil palm fruit. A comprehensive reference covering specifications, fatty acids, production, and uses.
Elaeis guineensis
Palm kernel oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the inner kernel of the fruit of the oil palm tree Elaeis guineensis, and is a by-product of the palm oil industry. Although both come from the same tree, the chemical composition of the two oils differs fundamentally, as the kernel oil contains medium-chain fatty acids similar to coconut oil. The kernel contains 45-50% oil by weight.
Commercial interest in palm kernel oil began in the nineteenth century as the soap industry developed in Europe, then production expanded after palm plantations spread across Southeast Asia. Its producing countries are tied to the same countries that produce palm oil (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Nigeria), and its output is about 11% of palm oil production.
Its composition is distinguished by a high content of saturated fatty acids: 48% lauric acid (C12:0), 16% myristic acid (C14:0), 8% palmitic acid, and 15% oleic acid. The predominance of medium-chain acids gives it a solid texture at room temperature, high oxidative stability, and unique foaming properties that make it ideal for the oleochemical industries.
According to USDA data for the 2025/26 season, global production reached 9.29 million tons, or 3.9% of the vegetable oil market. Producing countries are not broken out separately in USDA-FAS data because it is crushed as a by-product of palm oil in the same producing countries.
Palm kernel oil is used mainly in the making of soap, detergents, and shampoo for its ability to form abundant foam, and in the making of cocoa butter equivalents/substitutes (CBE/CBS) and chocolate fillings, and industrial ice cream. Industrially, it is a primary source of industrial fatty acids used in producing plastics, cosmetics, candles, and biofuel.
HS Code
1513
Oil percentage in the seed/fruit
45-50%
Oil yield/hectare
500 kg/ha
Omega-6:Omega-3
—
2025/26 (April 2026 estimates)
Global Production
9.29
million tons
Global Consumption
8.8
million tons
Market Share
3.9
%
Source: USDA-FAS PSD Online
This oil conforms to the Codex Alimentarius standard for named vegetable oils, CXS 210-1999, which specifies fatty acid composition, and quality and authenticity criteria. The following cards present the specification for each variety of this oil.
Palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis).
Oleic acid (Omega-9)
12.0-19.0
Linoleic acid (Omega-6)
1.0-3.5
Linolenic acid (Omega-3)
n.d.-0.2
Palmitic acid
6.5-10.0
Stearic acid
1.0-3.0
Lauric acid
45.0-55.0
Erucic acid
n.d.
Total saturated
Total monounsaturated
Total polyunsaturated
Iodine value
14.1-21.0
Vitamin E (mg/kg)
n.d.-260
Caproic acid (C6:0): n.d.-0.8
Caprylic acid (C8:0): 2.4-6.2
Capric acid (C10:0): 2.6-5.0
Lauric acid (C12:0): 45.0-55.0
Myristic acid (C14:0): 14.0-18.0
Palmitic acid (C16:0): 6.5-10.0
Palmitoleic acid (C16:1): n.d.-0.2
Margaric acid (C17:0): n.d.
Heptadecenoic acid (C17:1): n.d.
Stearic acid (C18:0): 1.0-3.0
Oleic acid / Omega-9 (C18:1): 12.0-19.0
Linoleic acid / Omega-6 (C18:2): 1.0-3.5
Linolenic acid / Omega-3 (C18:3): n.d.-0.2
Arachidic acid (C20:0): n.d.-0.2
Gadoleic acid (C20:1): n.d.-0.2
Eicosadienoic acid (C20:2): n.d.
Behenic acid (C22:0): n.d.-0.2
Erucic acid (C22:1): n.d.
Docosadienoic acid (C22:2): n.d.
Lignoceric acid (C24:0): n.d.
Nervonic acid (C24:1): n.d.
Sterols (% of total):
Cholesterol: 0.6-3.7
Brassicasterol: n.d.-0.8
Campesterol: 8.4-12.7
Stigmasterol: 12.0-16.6
Beta-sitosterol: 62.6-73.1
Delta-5-avenasterol: 1.4-9.0
Delta-7-stigmastenol: n.d.-2.1
Delta-7-avenasterol: n.d.-1.4
Other sterols: n.d.-2.7
Total sterols (mg/kg): 700-1400
Tocopherols and tocotrienols (mg/kg):
Alpha-tocopherol: n.d.-44
Beta-tocopherol: n.d.-248
Gamma-tocopherol: n.d.-257
Delta-tocopherol: n.d.
Alpha-tocotrienol: n.d.
Gamma-tocotrienol: n.d.-60
Delta-tocotrienol: n.d.
Total tocopherols and tocotrienols (mg/kg): n.d.-260
Relative density: 0.899-0.914 (40°C)
Apparent density (g/mL): 0.904-0.907
Refractive index: 1.448-1.452
Saponification value: 230-254
Iodine value: 14.1-21.0
Unsaponifiable matter (g/kg): ≤ 10
Melting point: —
δ¹³C ratio: —
Palm kernel olein is the liquid fraction derived from fractionation of palm kernel oil.
Oleic acid (Omega-9)
14.4-24.6
Linoleic acid (Omega-6)
2.4-4.3
Linolenic acid (Omega-3)
n.d.-0.3
Palmitic acid
6.2-10.6
Stearic acid
1.7-3.0
Lauric acid
39.7-47.0
Erucic acid
n.d.
Total saturated
Total monounsaturated
Total polyunsaturated
Iodine value
20-28
Vitamin E (mg/kg)
n.d.-90
Caproic acid (C6:0): n.d.-0.7
Caprylic acid (C8:0): 2.9-6.3
Capric acid (C10:0): 2.7-4.5
Lauric acid (C12:0): 39.7-47.0
Myristic acid (C14:0): 11.5-15.5
Palmitic acid (C16:0): 6.2-10.6
Palmitoleic acid (C16:1): n.d.-0.1
Margaric acid (C17:0): n.d.
Heptadecenoic acid (C17:1): n.d.
Stearic acid (C18:0): 1.7-3.0
Oleic acid / Omega-9 (C18:1): 14.4-24.6
Linoleic acid / Omega-6 (C18:2): 2.4-4.3
Linolenic acid / Omega-3 (C18:3): n.d.-0.3
Arachidic acid (C20:0): n.d.-0.5
Gadoleic acid (C20:1): n.d.-0.2
Eicosadienoic acid (C20:2): n.d.
Behenic acid (C22:0): n.d.
Erucic acid (C22:1): n.d.
Docosadienoic acid (C22:2): n.d.
Lignoceric acid (C24:0): n.d.
Nervonic acid (C24:1): n.d.
Sterols (% of total):
Cholesterol: 1.5-1.9
Brassicasterol: n.d.-0.2
Campesterol: 7.9-9.1
Stigmasterol: 13.4-14.7
Beta-sitosterol: 67.1-69.2
Delta-5-avenasterol: 3.3-4.6
Delta-7-stigmastenol: n.d.-0.6
Delta-7-avenasterol: n.d.-0.5
Other sterols: 2.9-3.7
Total sterols (mg/kg): 816-1339
Tocopherols and tocotrienols (mg/kg):
Alpha-tocopherol: n.d.-11
Beta-tocopherol: n.d.-6
Gamma-tocopherol: n.d.-3
Delta-tocopherol: n.d.-4
Alpha-tocotrienol: n.d.-70
Gamma-tocotrienol: 1-10
Delta-tocotrienol: n.d.-2
Total tocopherols and tocotrienols (mg/kg): n.d.-90
Relative density: 0.906-0.909 (40°C)
Apparent density (g/mL): 0.904-0.906
Refractive index: 1.451-1.453
Saponification value: 231-244
Iodine value: 20-28
Unsaponifiable matter (g/kg): < 15
Melting point: 21-26°C
δ¹³C ratio: —
Palm kernel stearin is the solid fraction derived from fractionation of palm kernel oil.
Oleic acid (Omega-9)
4.1-8.0
Linoleic acid (Omega-6)
0.5-1.5
Linolenic acid (Omega-3)
n.d.-0.1
Palmitic acid
6.7-10.0
Stearic acid
1.0-3.0
Lauric acid
52.0-59.7
Erucic acid
n.d.
Total saturated
Total monounsaturated
Total polyunsaturated
Iodine value
4-8.5
Vitamin E (mg/kg)
n.d.-89
Caproic acid (C6:0): n.d.-0.2
Caprylic acid (C8:0): 1.3-3.0
Capric acid (C10:0): 2.4-3.3
Lauric acid (C12:0): 52.0-59.7
Myristic acid (C14:0): 20.0-25.0
Palmitic acid (C16:0): 6.7-10.0
Palmitoleic acid (C16:1): n.d.
Margaric acid (C17:0): n.d.
Heptadecenoic acid (C17:1): n.d.
Stearic acid (C18:0): 1.0-3.0
Oleic acid / Omega-9 (C18:1): 4.1-8.0
Linoleic acid / Omega-6 (C18:2): 0.5-1.5
Linolenic acid / Omega-3 (C18:3): n.d.-0.1
Arachidic acid (C20:0): n.d.-0.5
Gadoleic acid (C20:1): n.d.-0.1
Eicosadienoic acid (C20:2): n.d.
Behenic acid (C22:0): n.d.
Erucic acid (C22:1): n.d.
Docosadienoic acid (C22:2): n.d.
Lignoceric acid (C24:0): n.d.
Nervonic acid (C24:1): n.d.
Sterols (% of total):
Cholesterol: 1.4-1.7
Brassicasterol: n.d.-2.2
Campesterol: 8.2-9.7
Stigmasterol: 14.1-15.0
Beta-sitosterol: 67.0-70.0
Delta-5-avenasterol: 3.3-4.1
Delta-7-stigmastenol: n.d.-0.3
Delta-7-avenasterol: n.d.-0.3
Other sterols: 1.0-3.0
Total sterols (mg/kg): 775-1086
Tocopherols and tocotrienols (mg/kg):
Alpha-tocopherol: n.d.-10
Beta-tocopherol: n.d.-2
Gamma-tocopherol: n.d.-1
Delta-tocopherol: n.d.
Alpha-tocotrienol: n.d.-73
Gamma-tocotrienol: n.d.-8
Delta-tocotrienol: n.d.-1
Total tocopherols and tocotrienols (mg/kg): n.d.-89
Relative density: 0.902-0.908 (40°C)
Apparent density (g/mL): 0.896-0.898 (40°C)
Refractive index: 1.449-1.451
Saponification value: 244-255
Iodine value: 4-8.5
Unsaponifiable matter (g/kg): < 15
Melting point: 31-34°C
δ¹³C ratio: —