High Oleic Palm Oil in Colombia: A Sustainable Future
According to USDA projections for 2024/2025, global production of the nine major vegetable oils is expected to reach 228 million tons. Of this total, palm oil and palm kernel oil are estimated to account for 89.2 million tons, representing approximately 39% of these oils, both derived from the same fruit. The leading producers by volume are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Colombia.
Colombia's Agricultural Potential for Palm Oil Production
Colombia, a Latin American country with 114 million hectares, has an agricultural vocation covering 15 million hectares (13%) and agroforestry use for an additional 20.2 million hectares (18%). Of these 35.2 million hectares of potential land, the country has already planted 596,217 hectares of palm oil (84% in production and 16% in development). This cultivation is spread across 158 municipalities in 21 departments and supported by 74 mills and 12 biodiesel plants. With a potential of up to 5.2 million hectares of high aptness and another 10.8 million hectares of medium aptness for palm oil, without causing deforestation, Colombia could reach production levels comparable to Malaysia, which currently has 5.6 million hectares in palm oil. This means that from the current potential of approximately 2% planted in palm oil, there is the opportunity to expand up to 16% if the hectares of high-suitability land are utilized.
Overcoming Challenges: Disease and Pests Impacting Palm Oil Production
As of 2023, the country produced 1,842,000 tons of palm oil, overcoming challenges posed by disease outbreaks that have affected crop productivity. The African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, has faced well-documented devastations across the American continent. From the last decade of the 20th century to the early 21st century, various pests and diseases have impacted this species, originally from Africa but acclimatized to the American tropics. In Colombia and neighboring countries, diseases such as Sudden Wilt (SW), Lethal Wilt (LW), and Bud Rot (BR) emerged simultaneously with the growth of the palm industry. Specifically, Bud Rot (Phytophthora palmivora (Butler)) initially ravaged plantations in Urabá and Bajo Calima in Colombia before spreading to neighboring countries like Suriname, Brazil, and Ecuador. Tumaco also experienced similar devastation between 2007 and 2010, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and 35,000 hectares of crops.
Innovative Solutions: The Rise of Disease-Resistant Palm Hybrids
Since 1974, promising developments have been made with certain palm hybrids derived from crosses between Elaeis oleifera and Elaeis guineensis. These hybrids, known as OxG, exhibit tolerance traits inherited from the American oil palm, providing hope for those affected by these diseases. This discovery has had significant implications for the recovery and sustainability of the palm industry in the region, being considered the most promising genetic alternative for the tropical American palm sector, hence the term "American Hope." The OxG hybrid has not only shown the much-desired disease resistance but also impressive field performance, with significant oil yields making it even more attractive to growers.
According to Fedepalma Colombia, by 2023, the hybrid crop covered 110,430 hectares, representing 18.5% of the total planted area in the country, with 78% in production and 22% in development. During this period, 1,631,416 tons of hybrid fruit were harvested, accounting for 19.6% of the country's total fruit production.
This material differs markedly from Elaeis guineensis in terms of cultivation, extraction, and resulting oil. With good agronomic practices, productivity can range from 30-40 tons of fruit per hectare per year. Oil extraction rates can reach 30% in extraction plants, and the resulting oil differs significantly. While crude palm oil from Elaeis guineensis typically has an iodine value index of 50-55, the new hybrid material has an iodine index range of 63-72. Comparing iodine index values after fractionation of both types of palm oil, the liquid line can yield olein with an IV of 56-59, superolein with an IV of 64-66, and Top Olein with an IV of 70-72 in the first, second, and third fractionations, respectively. In contrast, the hybrid palm can produce olein with an IV of 68-75 in a single fractionation. Additionally, the hybrid palm has double the content of carotenoids (Vitamin A) and tocotrienols (Vitamin E) compared to Elaeis guineensis.
Commitment to Sustainability: Colombia's Palm Oil Industry
Sustainability, traceability, and productivity are crucial factors for all crops, particularly for palm oil, which is included in the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) list requiring compliance for entry into the EU due to past poor practices. Through the Federation of Palm Growers (Fedepalma), Colombia is actively addressing sustainability principles, promoting deforestation-free practices, and working on the required traceability for future compliance while ensuring no displacement of communities and maintaining a sustainable balance with wildlife in palm plantations.
References:
- Instituto Geográfico Agustín Codazzi (Igac)
- https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2024/04/14/el-futuro-del-aceite-alimentario-mas-versatil-podria-estar-en-america-latina/
- Relatos sobre el híbrido interespecífico de palma de aceite OxG-Coari x La Mé: esperanza para el trópico
- https://poram.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1.-PORAM-Standard-Specification.pdf
Further reading
Empowering Oil Palm Farmers: Sustainable Solutions for Yield, Profitability, and Food Security
The Versatility and Growth of Palm Oil: From Edible Oil to Sustainable Cultivation in Telangana
Oyster Mushroom Cultivation using Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches Fibre