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  • How to process shea nut kernels?
  • For processing Shea nut kernels, we need a combination of mechanical pressing unit ( Oil Mill ) and solvent extraction plant (SEP). The following are steps involved in Shea Butter Extraction Plant : Shea nut kernels are separated and cleaned to remove impurities such as dust, metal, plant stalks.
  • How many raw shea nuts are produced in Africa?
  • Africa produces approximately 1,760,000 metric tons (MT) of raw shea nuts a year, and historically, most of this stayed within the African continent to supply domestic demand. The shea export market traditionally traded raw shea kernels rather than shea butter or other finished products.
  • Where does a shea tree grow?
  • Although it only grows in a limited swath of sub-Saharan African parklands, the wild shea tree supplies the entire world with enough shea nuts to meet the growing demand for both shea oil and shea butter.
  • How is shea oil extracted?
  • As a result, many shea producers are adopting more mechanized solutions to improve quality and yield. Larger processors use mechanical extraction equipment to recover more oil efficiently. Screw press expellers physically crush the shea kernels to squeeze out shea oil from the solid meal, which exits the expeller as a cake.
  • Does shea butter need solvent extraction?
  • For these reasons, solvent extraction is generally not preferred for shea butter extraction—especially in food and cosmetic markets where consumers seek natural, organic ingredients. What is shea oil? Traditional water extraction, mechanical expeller pressing, and solvent extraction yield shea butter.
  • What is the shea butter export market?
  • The shea export market traditionally traded raw shea kernels rather than shea butter or other finished products. However, as shea applications have evolved and processing methods have improved, shea butter exports have increased as producing countries invest in more advanced equipment.