Palm Oil
Palm Oil is one of the most widely produced and traded edible oils globally, with Indonesia and Malaysia serving as dominant supply hubs. It is extensively used in food processing, packaged goods, and industrial applications across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Global trade flows are influenced by sustainability standards, production volumes, and international import demand.
Palm Oil Grades & Variants Available
Palm oil is processed into several commercial forms, each with distinct industrial and culinary uses.
- Crude Palm Oil (CPO) – Unrefined reddish oil extracted from palm fruit pulp; used in food refining and biodiesel.
- RBD Palm Oil – Refined, bleached, and deodorized for wide culinary use.
- RBD Palm Olein – Clear and fluid at room temperature, ideal for cooking and frying.
- Palm Stearin – Solid fraction used in bakery fats, soaps, and cosmetics.
Specifications can be customized based on inquiry volume and buyer requirements.
Use Cases of Palm Oil | Buyer & Supplier Segments
Palm oil is integral to food, FMCG, and industrial sectors worldwide. Its affordability and functionality make it a staple for both edible oil buyers and bulk commodity users.
- Food Processing Industry – Used in snacks, margarine, instant noodles, and bakery items.
- Retail & Cooking Oil Brands – Supplied in smaller SKUs for domestic kitchens.
- HORECA & Catering – Large-volume consumption in hotels, restaurants, and institutional kitchens.
- Soap & Cosmetics Manufacturing – Palm stearin and derivatives are essential raw materials.
Global Palm Oil Trade Insights
- India is the world’s largest importer of edible oil, accounting for over 10 million tonnes, with palm oil forming the largest share.
- Palm oil imports are mainly sourced from Indonesia and Malaysia, often under long-term contracts.
- FOB prices for RBD Palm Olein ranged between USD 1,150-1,250/MT in mid-2025, depending on grade and delivery port.
- Top importing nations: India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Kenya, and Nigeria.
- Global price competitiveness and rising biofuel demand continue to drive palm oil’s trade resilience.
Palm Oil Specification
Product: Vitamin A Fortified RBD Palm Olein
Grade: Human Consumption / Cooking Oil Grade
Condition: Fresh, clean, clear, refined, bleached and deodorized, free from foreign matter, free from rancid smell, and fit for human consumption
Fortification: Vitamin A fortified as per Bangladesh food safety requirement
Vitamin A Level: 15–30 ppm
Source of Fortification: Retinol Palmitate or Retinol Acetate
Appearance: Clear, bright yellow to golden yellow liquid
Taste & Odor: Neutral, free from abnormal smell, rancidity, or foreign taste
Free Fatty Acid / FFA: 0.10% maximum, expressed as palmitic acid
Moisture & Volatile Matter: 0.20% maximum Insoluble Impurities: 0.05% maximum
Peroxide Value: Preferably 2 meq O₂/kg maximum at shipment
Acid Value: 0.6 mg KOH/g maximum
Iodine Value: 56 minimum
Slip Melting Point: 24°C maximum
Cloud Point: CP10 maximum, or CP8 for premium quality
Soap Content: 0.005% maximum
Saponification Value: 194–202 mg KOH/g
Unsaponifiable Matter: 1.3% maximum
Color: Lovibond 5¼ cell, Red 3 maximum / Yellow 30 maximum
Heavy Metals: Within Codex
Shelf Life: Minimum 18–24 months from production date
GMO: Non-GMO preferred
Packing: 5 LTR, 3 LTR, and 2 LTR food-grade PET bottles / jars Carton
Packing: Strong export-standard corrugated cartons suitable for sea shipment and tropical climate
Labeling: Product name, brand name, origin, production date, expiry date, batch number, net volume, manufacturer details, Vitamin A fortification declaration, and other required export markings.
RBD Palm Olein
Quick Breakdown:
- RBD Palm Oil: Crude palm oil that has undergone Refining, Bleaching, and Deodorizing (RBD process) to remove impurities, color, and odor, making it suitable for edible use.
- RBD Palm Olein: The liquid fraction obtained by further fractionating (separating at controlled temperatures) RBD Palm Oil. The liquid part is Olein (used widely as cooking oil), while the solid part is Stearin.
In short, RBD explicitly means it has been refined. It starts from crude palm oil but is fully processed.
This is a common edible cooking oil in many countries (including India), valued for its high smoke point and stability in frying.
SPECIFICATION OF RBD PALM OLIEN:
| Parameters | RBD Palm Olein
CP 10 |
RBD Palm Olein
CP 8 |
RBD Palm Olein
CP 6 |
| Free Fatty Acid | 0.1% Max (As Palmitic) | 0.1% Max (As Palmitic) | 0.1% Max (As Palmitic) |
| Moisture & Impurities | 0.1% Max | 0.1% Max | 0.1% Max |
| Iodine Value (Wijs) | 56 Min | 56 Min | 60 Min |
| Melting Points (ºC) | 24 Max | 24 Max | 24 Max |
| Cloud Point (ºC) | 10 Max | 10 Max | 10 Max |
| Colour (5-1/4″) | 3R Max | 3R Max | 3R Max |
| Lovibond Cell | 30Y Max | 30Y Max | 30Y Max |
| Peroxide Value | 1.0 Max | 1.0 Max | 1.0 Max |
| Applications | Cooking and frying medium | Cooking and frying medium | Cooking and frying medium |
| Origin: India/Malaysia/Indonesia Origin | |||
Crude Palm Oil (CPO)
This is the unrefined oil extracted directly from palm fruit. It contains impurities, has a strong color and odor, and is not typically used for cooking.
CRUDE PALM OIL SPECIFICATIONS:
Free Fatty Acid: 5% max
Moisture & Impurities: 0.25% max
Melting Points (ºC): 33-39 max
Iodine Value (Wijs)V: 56 min
Dobi: 2.4 min
Color: 3.5R/3.5Y
Origin: India/Malaysia/Indonesia
