Palm kernels and palm oil : recent world market trends in relation to stabilization problems and policies

Africa produces roughly four-fifths of world' oil palm products and contributes a similar proportion to world exports. The oil palm (Elaois guinoonsis) is thought to be native to West Africa, where it is mainly exploited by small producers. Estate planting is mostly confined to the Congo (Leopoldville), where plantations under European management wore first established around 50 years ago and at present produce about one-third of the Congolese palm oil. High-yielding varieties of the African oil palm have boon introduced on a largo scale into South East .Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaya where plantations produce nearly all of the domestic output. In recent years some plantations have also boon established in Latin America. Hew varieties of thin-shelled oil palms have boon developed and art; used for the planting and replanting of largo estates in all producer areas.