Edible oils are indispensable in kitchens globally, serving as vital ingredients for cooking, flavoring, and preserving foods. From the rich heritage of olive oil in Mediterranean cuisine to the versatile applications of palm oil in diverse culinary traditions, these oils play pivotal roles in shaping the flavors and textures of dishes worldwide. Let’s embark on a journey to explore the top 10 edible oils consumed across the globe.
In 2024, global edible oil consumption reflects a diverse mix of culinary traditions and dietary preferences. Palm oil remains a dominant choice for its versatility, while soybean oil maintains its popularity in processed foods. Sunflower oil’s light flavor makes it a staple, alongside the rich flavors of olive oil. Canola oil stands out for its health benefits, while coconut oil retains its appeal despite health debates. Peanut oil, corn oil, sesame oil, and safflower oil also feature prominently in kitchens worldwide.
Palm oil reigns as the foremost cooking oil globally, prized for its distinctive red hue and semi-solid state at room temperature. Indonesia and Malaysia dominate palm oil production, integrating it deeply into their agricultural and economic strategies. Extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, it boasts a neutral to mildly nutty aroma and a balanced composition of saturated and unsaturated fats. Despite concerns over its environmental impact and high saturated fat content, palm oil remains indispensable in cooking, baking, frying, and various industrial applications like cosmetics and biofuel production. Efforts towards sustainable production are underway, aiming to address deforestation and biodiversity concerns associated with its cultivation. Varieties include crude, refined, organic, and sustainable palm oil.
Palm Oil with the annual consumption of 75.98 million metric tons, stands as the most consumed edible oil in the world, followed by Soyabean Oil, Rapeseed Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil.
Here is the list of top-10 most consumed edible oils in the world 2024:
| Top-10 Most Consumed Edible Oils in the World 2024 | ||
| Rank | Edible Oil | Annual Consumption (in million metric tonnes) |
| 1. | Palm Oil | 75.98 |
| 2. | Soybean Oil | 75.39 |
| 3. | Rapeseed Oil | 28.15 |
| 4. | Sunflower Seed Oil | 20.83 |
| 5. | Palm Kernel Oil | 8.013 |
| 6. | Peanut Oil | 6.512 |
| 7. | Cottonseed Oil | 5.513 |
| 8. | Corn Oil | 3.38 |
| 9. | Olive Oil | 3.37 |
| 10. | Coconut Oil | 2.61 |
Edible Oil consumption: 75.98 million metric tons
Uses: Widely used in food products, cosmetics, and biofuels. Major economic importance for Indonesia and Malaysia.
Palm oil stands as the world’s most consumed cooking oil, recognized for its iconic red hue and semi-solid consistency at room temperature. Indonesia and Malaysia are pivotal players in palm oil production, integrating it deeply into their agricultural and economic frameworks. Derived from the oil palm tree’s fruit, it offers a neutral to mildly nutty aroma and a balanced blend of saturated and unsaturated fats. Despite concerns over environmental impact and saturated fat content, palm oil finds widespread use in cooking, baking, frying, and industrial applications like cosmetics and biofuels. Efforts toward sustainable production aim to address deforestation and biodiversity challenges. Varieties include crude, refined, organic, and sustainable palm oil.
Consumption: 75.39 million metric tons
Uses: Versatile oil is used in cooking, biodiesel production, and industrial applications like paints and inks.
Soybean oil emerges as the second most consumed edible oil globally, prized not only for its culinary versatility but also its role in alternative fuel production, notably green diesel. Extracted from soybeans predominantly cultivated in China, the US, Brazil, and Argentina, it boasts a mild soybean scent and a pale yellow hue. Composed mainly of unsaturated fats, it finds applications in cooking, frying, baking, and beyond, including biodiesel production, paints, and inks. Despite its nutritional benefits, concerns linger regarding its high omega-6 content and sustainability issues like deforestation and monoculture farming. Varieties range from regular and refined to organic and non-GMO soybean oil.
Consumption: 28.15 million metric tons
Uses: Low saturated fat content makes it popular for cooking. Also used in biodiesel production.
Canola oil, derived from rapeseed plants, ranks as the third most consumed edible oil globally, favored for its health benefits and versatility in cooking. Canada leads in canola production, followed by China, India, and France. With its neutral aroma and pale yellow appearance, it contains mostly unsaturated fats, making it a heart-healthy choice. Canola oil’s low saturated fat content and high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids appeal to health-conscious consumers. While generally considered safe, concerns may arise from GMO varieties. Despite sustainability efforts, challenges persist regarding monoculture farming. Varieties include refined, cold-pressed, and organic rapeseed oil.
Palm Oil with the annual consumption of 75.98 million metric tons, stands as the most consumed edible oil in the world.
Soybean oil emerges as the second most consumed edible oil globally, prized not only for its culinary versatility but also its role in alternative fuel production, notably green diesel.
The top-5 most consumed edible oils in the world are: Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Palm Kernel Oil.
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