The main source of palm oil in Tanzania is Kigoma where palm oil is mainly produced. Kigoma region accounts for over 80 percent of the palm oil produced in the country, the remaining 20 percent comes from Kyela District in Mbeya region. In the Kigoma region palm oil is grown on smallholder farms and processed manually.
How efficient is palm oil extraction in Tanzania?
This is equivalent to a palm oil extraction efficiency of about 12 %. Furthermore, FAO estimated an area of only 5000 ha being used for oil palms in Tanzania during the same year. The calculated average yield applied by FAO for Tanzania exceeds 14.2 t of FFB or 1.7 t of palm oil per hectare.
Should oil palm oil be expanded beyond Kigoma Region?
Particular emphasis is on expanding the production zones for oil palm oil beyond Kigoma region, the traditional production area. The 19,641 hectares currently farmed represents just 17.2% of the area suitable for growing oil palm, suggesting significant room for expansion (4).
How is palm oil produced in Africa?
Palm oil production in Africa and especially in Tanzania is dominated by small-scale subsistence farming systems that are characterised by low productivity and low yields, even in regions with the most suitable cultivation conditions.
Where does Kigoma palm oil come from?
Kigoma region accounts for over 80 percent of the palm oil produced in the country, the remaining 20 percent comes from Kyela District in Mbeya region. In the Kigoma region palm oil is grown on smallholder farms and processed manually. The main point of sale for Kigoma palm oil is local and in crude form.
How much palm oil does Tanzania import?
Palm oil ranks second among the main agricultural imports in Tanzania after wheat and before malt, refined sugar and fatty acids (FAOSTAT). In 2008, Tanzania imported 183,016 tonnes (t) of palm oil worth US$175,457,000 (FAO 2011 ), which was nearly as much as the US$181,972,000 spent for importing 452,124 t of wheat.