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.
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.
Where are shea nuts produced in Burkina Faso?
The Sissili and Ziro provinces are the most important production centres. Further, shea nuts are the country’s third most important export after cotton and livestock. Since both shea nuts and shea butter are exported in huge quantities from Burkina Faso, their quality is extremely important.
Is there a mechanised shea butter production plant?
In other to address all these shortcomings a mechanised shea butter production plant was developed (alhaji et al., 2018) Shea butter is a high–value shea nut fat used as an edible oil, antimicrobial and moisturiser in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, respectively.
Where do Shea nuts come from?
Production of shea nuts in some selected countries from 2001-2012 (Source: FAOSTAT, 2013). The shea tree is a multipurpose tree crop indigenous to Sub Saharan African. The tree is highly cherished for the oil that is extracted from its kernels and used nationally and internationally in cosmetics, pharmaceutics and in chocolate formulations.
Which country produces the most shea nut?
… of the po- tentials of shea nut indicate that major producing countries are found in West Africa. Available data from FAOSTAT (2013), shows that Nigeria has the highest potential of shea nut pro- duction.