vegetable oil production line in africa

                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
  • Why are African vegetable oil producers unable to compete in global markets?
  • International markets exist for several vegetable oils grown in Africa but, due to high production costs, low yields and low returns, African producers are unable to compete in these markets; they need eficient labour, farm inputs, production scales and improved infrastructure to reduce production costs and compete in global markets.
  • Is vegetable oil production increasing in Africa?
  • Despite this opportunity, vegetable oil production is increasing slowly in Africa, by 2.1% annually from 2000?2003 compared to 10.7% in Latin America, 4.5% in Asia and 4.2% in Europe for the same period.
  • How do policy makers contribute to Africa’s vegetable oil industry?
  • Policy makers are well positioned to bring together farmers, processors, exporters, input suppliers and distributers in Africa’s vegetable oil industry. The foundation of the value chain (farmers and oil processors) need to be aware of market demands to justify scaled-up production.
  • What is the most important oil crop in Africa?
  • Of the important oil crops in Africa, Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata), brown mustard (Brassica. juncea), sunflower, coconut and cram-cram (Crambe hispanica) are recognised as priorities for conservation and germplasm exchange by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (www. planttreaty.org).