Artisanal mills and local production of palm oil by smallholders

Description

In Africa, there are two oil palm supply chains. The first goes through industrial mills, from industrial plantations and surrounding smallholdings to a formal market of commercial oils complying with international quality standards, while the second goes through small-scale mills or traditional extraction, from smallholdings and ‘wild groves’ to an informal market of artisanal red palm oil. In this chapter, we concentrate on the second supply chain. We review the emergence of artisanal extraction of red palm oil in Africa, consider who is involved in this supply chain and why, and discuss the major operations and equipment involved in artisanal processing. We then review the composition and quality of artisanal palm oil and its various uses. Finally, we consider the sustainable development issues associated with artisanal red palm oil production.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Emergence of artisanal extraction of red palm oil in Africa 3 Who is producing artisanal red palm oil and why 4 Major operations and equipment for artisanal processing 5 Artisanal extraction units 6 Artisanal red palm oil composition, quality and uses 7 Sustainable development issues for artisanal red palm oil production 8 Where to look for further information 9 References