Palm oil is more than just another cooking ingredient—it’s a vital part of African heritage and cuisine. This blog focuses on How Palm Oil is Made in Nigeria. From soups to stews, pastries to packaged goods, palm oil finds its way into homes around the world. But while it’s the most consumed vegetable oil globally, many Nigerians abroad still struggle to find authentic, high-quality red palm oil. At WhuDeySell.com, we bridge that gap by sourcing and delivering premium palm oil directly from our mill and trusted Nigerian farms to your doorstep.
The Origin: The Oil Palm Tree
Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, botanically known as Elaeis guineensis Jacq., a native to West Africa. Today, it’s cultivated across Nigeria and other tropical nations due to its high yield and versatility. Despite global expansion, Nigeria remains one of the top producers of palm oil, and communities like those in Akwa Ibom continue to refine traditional methods with modern efficiency.
Learn more about our palm oil sourcing and community-driven farming model here.
How is Palm Oil Processed?
At Whu Dey Sell, we ensure our palm oil is made using hygienic and traditional techniques blended with sustainable practices. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Harvesting: The oil palm starts producing fruit within 3 years. Once ripe, the fruit bunches are manually harvested.
- Sterilization & Threshing: The harvested bunches are steamed to kill bacteria, then separated from the fruit.
- Digestion & Pressing: The fruit pulp is mashed and pressed to extract the crude red oil.
- Palm Kernel Separation: Seeds are removed and pressed separately to obtain palm kernel oil.
- Filtration & Storage: The oil is filtered to remove impurities and stored in hygienic containers ready for packaging. This entire process takes place in clean, semi-automated environments to ensure food-grade quality.
How Much Oil Can Be Extracted from 1kg of Palm?
From every 1kg of palm fruit, you can extract approximately 200ml to 250ml of crude palm oil, depending on the variety, maturity of the fruit, and the efficiency of the extraction method.
What Are the Various Methods of Processing Palm Oil?
There are three major methods:
- Traditional/Manual Method – Usually done in villages.
- Semi-Mechanized Method – Common among small and medium processors.
- Fully Industrial/Automated Processing – Used in large palm oil mills and factories.
WhuDeySell sources from clean and semi-mechanized farms to maintain traditional authenticity with modern hygiene.
How Much is a Palm Oil Processing Machine?
In Nigeria, a small-scale palm oil processing machine costs between ₦700,000 and ₦2 million, depending on capacity and brand. Industrial-grade units for full processing plants can range between ₦5 million to ₦30 million.
How to Make Palm Oil in Nigeria – Step by Step
- Harvest the ripe fruit bunches.
- Boil or steam to soften.
- Strip off the fruit from the bunch.
- Mash or digest.
- Press to extract oil.
- Filter and store the oil.
- Package for sale or export.
Learn more or shop for export-grade palm oil in bulk here.
How Many Litres of Palm Oil Can a Palm Tree Produce?
One mature palm tree can yield 12–15 litres of palm oil per year, depending on the plantation’s fertility and harvesting frequency.
What is the Raw Material of Palm Oil?
The raw material is the palm fruit (mesocarp) from the oil palm tree. The kernel (seed) also produces palm kernel oil, which differs in texture and use.
Palm Oil Processing Factory and Plant Cost
Setting up a full palm oil processing plant in Nigeria can cost between ₦10 million to ₦50 million, depending on size, automation, land, and location.
Which State in Nigeria Produces the Most Palm Oil?
Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta States are top producers, with Akwa Ibom often cited for its quality and quantity of red palm oil.
What Are the Disadvantages of the Palm Oil Business in Nigeria?
- High startup costs (land, machines, labor).
- Fluctuating market prices.
- Limited access to modern processing tech in rural areas.
- Competition from imported alternatives.
At WhuDeySell, we tackle these by supporting local farmers and ensuring a reliable online market for their produce.
How Much is Palm Oil Per Ton in Nigeria?
As of early 2025, a metric ton of palm oil in Nigeria costs between ₦1.8 million to ₦2.3 million, depending on region and quality.
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Conclusion
Palm oil is deeply embedded in Nigerian culture and cuisine, and at WhuDeySell, we make it accessible to you anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a home cook in Canada, a caterer in the UK, or a student in the US missing the taste of home, our goal is to get real Nigerian palm oil to your table.
Shop now at WhuDeySell.com and taste the difference of quality, tradition, and trust.