Palm oil is extracted from the seed kernels and pulp of the African oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). It is edible and is also used in many beauty and cosmetic products.
In the 2025/2026 Marketing Year (MY), global palm oil production was 81.46 million metric tons, as reported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The article discusses palm oil production by country, its yield, annual output, area harvested, and historical comparisons.
Here are the largest palm oil-producing countries in the world:
Palm oil production per country and share in global production, MY 2025/26 (USDA)
| Country | Total Production (in Metric Tons) | Share in Global Production % |
|---|---|---|
 Indonesia | 46.7 Million | 57% |
 Malaysia | 20.2 Million | 25% |
 Thailand | 3.9 Million | 5% |
 Colombia | 2 Million | 2% |
 Nigeria | 1.5 Million | 2% |
 Guatemala | 995,000 | 1% |
 Papua New Guinea | 830,000 | 1% |
 Brazil | 660,000 | 0.81% |
 Ecuador | 640,000 | 0.79% |
 Côte d’Ivoire | 630,000 | 0.77% |
1. Indonesia
The list of palm oil production by country begins with Indonesia. The nation’s output was estimated at 46.7 million metric tons in the marketing year 2025/2026, harvested from a total area of 14 million hectares. Indonesia’s total production in that year makes up 57% of global palm oil production.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 3.33 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 45.5 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 3%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 45.52 million metric tons
2. Malaysia
Malaysia’s palm oil production for MY 2025/26 was 20.2 million metric tons, accounting for 25% of the world’s production. The country’s total area harvested for palm oil production was 5.6 million hectares.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 3.60 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 19.38 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 4%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 19.23 million metric tons
3. Thailand
As one of the leading producers, Thailand’s MY 2025/26 output represents 5% of global palm oil production. USDA’s ledger shows that the 3.9 million metric tons of palm oil produced were harvested from an area of 1.1 million hectares in Thailand.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 3.67 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 3.74 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 4%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 3.15 million metric tons
4. Colombia
According to the USDA, the South American country of Colombia produced 2 million metric tons of palm oil in MY 2025/26. The nation contributed 2% to worldwide palm oil production, harvested from 545,000 hectares.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 3.66 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 1.9 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 5%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 1.74 million metric tons
5. Nigeria
The largest palm oil-producing country in Africa, Nigeria, produced 1.5 million metric tons in MY 2025/26. This amount was harvested from 3.2 million hectares and accounts for 2% of global output.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 0.46 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 1.5 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 0%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 1.29 million metric tons
6. Guatemala
Data pulled from the USDA shows that Guatemala’s palm oil production is 995,000 metric tons in MY 2025/26, harvested from a total area of 200,000 hectares. The most populous country in Central America generated 1% of the world’s palm oil for the same marketing year.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 4.97 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 990,000 metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 0.51%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 912,200 metric tons
7. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is also among the largest palm oil producers in the world. It tallied its production at 830,000 metric tons in MY 2025/26. This accounted for a 1% share of the world’s output. The country’s total area harvested for palm oil production was 218,000 hectares.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 3.80 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 830,000 metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 0%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 742,300 metric tons
8. Brazil
Brazil’s share in global palm oil production for MY 2025/26 was 0.81%. The total area harvested for the 660,000 metric tons of palm oil production was 235,000 hectares.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 2.80 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 600,000 metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 10%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 556,000 metric tons
9. Ecuador
In MY 2025/26, Ecuador contributed 0.79% of the world’s overall palm oil production, with an output of 640,000 metric tons. In this South American country, the total area harvested for palm oil production was 151,000 hectares.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 4.23 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 560,000 metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 14%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 541,100 metric tons
10. Côte d’Ivoire
The West African nation of Côte d’Ivoire produced 630,000 metric tons of palm oil in MY 2025/26. Nearly 420,000 hectares were harvested in 2025/26 for palm oil production. The country’s output accounted for 0.77% of global production.
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 1.5 metric tons per hectare
- Production (MY 2024/25): 625,000 metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 0.80%
- 10-year production average (MY 2016-25): 560,300 metric tons
