Group to cooperate on palm oil productivity

The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has expressed readiness to deepen technical and policy cooperation with Nigeria to boost oil palm productivity, integrate smallholder farmers and strengthen the country’s palm oil supply chain.

Secretary-General of CPOPC, Izzana Salleh, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists  in Abuja, describing the council’s visit as part of efforts to strengthen engagement with Nigeria and enhance South–South collaboration among producing nations.

Salleh noted that oil palm is indigenous to West Africa and recalled that Nigeria was once a global leader in palm oil production.

She, however, stressed that the focus should not be on nostalgia but on repositioning strategically for future growth.

 “The opportunity before Nigeria is not about looking back but strategically positioning itself for the future,” she said.

According to her, CPOPC is prepared to support Nigeria’s vision to strengthen domestic production, enhance food security and build a competitive and sustainable palm oil supply chain.

 “Together, producing nations can shape a stronger, more coordinated global voice, one that protects farmer livelihoods, advances food security, and ensures balanced, development-oriented sustainability frameworks,” Salleh said.

She pointed to recent data showing that Nigeria’s palm oil production increased from 1.28 million tonnes in 2020 to 1.57 million tonnes in 2025. However, domestic consumption rose from 2.45 million tonnes to 2.61 million tonnes within the same period, leaving a supply gap currently met through imports.

Salleh described the gap as more than a trade imbalance. “It represents foreign exchange outflow, missed rural income opportunities and untapped agro-industrial potential,” she said.

She added that one of the core objectives of the mission was to strengthen experience-sharing among producing countries based on practical lessons, as well as deepen Nigeria’s engagement with the council, including the possibility of full membership.

Nigeria currently holds observer status in CPOPC alongside Ghana and Colombia.

Founded in 2015 by Indonesia and Malaysia, CPOPC was established to promote cooperation among palm oil-producing nations, empower smallholders, advance sustainability and ensure fair, science-based global dialogue on vegetable oils.

Salleh described Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, noting that its leadership in palm oil development would have significant regional implications.

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“CPOPC respects Nigeria’s sovereign decision-making process. Our role is not to persuade but to partner,” she said, reiterating the council’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development agenda in the sector.

Also speaking, President of the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), Dr. Alphonsus Inyang, said Nigeria’s membership in CPOPC would expose the country to advanced technologies capable of improving its Oil Extraction Ratio (OER) in both palm oil and palm kernel production.

Inyang added that membership would also facilitate capacity building and access to hybrid inputs to enhance the productivity of smallholder farmers, who account for the bulk of oil palm production in Nigeria.

He noted that improved OER and better agronomic practices would significantly increase output, reduce reliance on imports and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global palm oil market.

Stakeholders at the session expressed optimism that stronger collaboration with CPOPC would help Nigeria bridge its production-consumption gap, create rural employment opportunities and boost agro-industrial development.

With rising domestic demand and growing regional opportunities, analysts say a coordinated strategy that combines policy reform, technology transfer and smallholder empowerment could be key to restoring Nigeria’s prominence in the global palm oil value chain.