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What are the top 5 global palm oil exporting countries in H1 2025?
According to the latest trade intelligence data from TradeInt, Indonesia was the world’s largest exporter of palm oil exporting country. Within the first half of 2025, Indonesia led global palm oil exports with US$3.36 billion (taking over 54.66% of the market), followed by Malaysia at $1.77 billion, while Peru (US$50 million), the Philippines (~US$40 million), and Ghana are next on the list.
During the first six months of 2025, the global palm oil export market was led predominantly by the Asia-Pacific region. Three out of the top five exporters are located in this region, showcasing Asia’s dominance in the global palm oil supply chain.
# Top 1 - Global Palm Oil export by country in H1 2025: Indonesia | $3.36 billion
Is Indonesia the world’s largest palm oil producer, and which exporting companies follow?
In H1 2025, Indonesia exported nearly $3.36 billion worth of all palm oil products, accounting for 62.53% of global exports. However, this marked a slight decline of over 4% compared to H1 2024, which saw exports valued at approximately $3.505 billion. Thus, Indonesia is recognized as the world’s largest producer of palm oil to date.
A major reason for the drop was a seasonal decrease in crude palm oil (CPO) production. Adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains and flooding in major palm-producing regions, reduced yields and limited the supply available for export. Additionally, Indonesia has increased domestic consumption through national biodiesel programs such as B35 and B40. These initiatives diverted more palm oil for internal use, reducing exportable volumes.
Indonesia’s growth as one of the top palm oil exporting countries is expected to remain moderate. Indonesia’s increasing domestic biodiesel blending mandates (B40 and plans toward B50) continue to demand significant palm oil volumes, thereby limiting exportable supply.
Also, Indonesia has higher export taxes (about $221/MT versus Malaysia’s $140/MT), which diminishes its price competitiveness. In addition, Malaysia has pursued sustainability practices to boost its competitive stance alongside Indonesia, especially in Europe, where palm oil exports are under enormous pressure to prove they are deforestation-free.
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A major reason for the drop was a seasonal decrease in crude palm oil (CPO) production. Adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains and flooding in major palm-producing regions, reduced yields and limited the supply available for export. Additionally, Indonesia has increased domestic consumption through national biodiesel programs such as B35 and B40. These initiatives diverted more palm oil for internal use, reducing exportable volumes.
Indonesia’s growth as one of the top palm oil exporting countries is expected to remain moderate. Indonesia’s increasing domestic biodiesel blending mandates (B40 and plans toward B50) continue to demand significant palm oil volumes, thereby limiting exportable supply.
Also, Indonesia has higher export taxes (about $221/MT versus Malaysia’s $140/MT), which diminishes its price competitiveness. In addition, Malaysia has pursued sustainability practices to boost its competitive stance alongside Indonesia, especially in Europe, where palm oil exports are under enormous pressure to prove they are deforestation-free.
# Top 2 - Global Palm Oil export by country in H1 2025: Malaysia | $1.77 billion
Malaysia was the second-largest exporter of palm oil, with an export value of $1.77 billion, representing roughly one-third of the world’s total value. According to the USDA, Malaysia also ranked second globally in palm oil production.
Who are the latest top country importers of Malaysia palm oil in 2025?
In May–June 2025, the top five importers of Malaysian palm oil by value were India (USD 508.12 million), Pakistan (USD 69.16 million), Vietnam (USD 50.85 million), Bangladesh (USD 47.16 million), and the U.S. (USD 43.86 million). India’s imports surged 84% in May to a six-month high of nearly 593,000 metric tons, driven by low inventories, competitive pricing relative to soyoil and sunflower oil, and a lowered import duty.
Notably, Kenya has emerged as Malaysia’s second-largest buyer in H1 2025, surpassing the EU and China, accounting for 30% of exports to Sub-Saharan Africa and projected to import up to 1.3 million tonnes this year.
| Rank | Country | Estimated Value (USD, May–June 2025) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | $508.12 million | Strong import growth driven by stock shortages, tax cuts, and seasonal demand |
| 2 | Pakistan | $69.16 million | Slight uptick in imports |
| 3 | Vietnam | $50.85 million | Moderate importer, trailing Bangladesh and the U.S. in volume |
| 4 | Bangladesh | $47.16 million | Stable demand with modest import increase |
| 5 | U.S. | $43.86 million | Imports rising for industrial and food applications |
The most prominent products that Malaysia exports include crude palm oil, palm kernel, palm kernel cake, and other finished products such as soap and margarine.
You may be interested: Malaysia’s Top 7 Palm Oil-Related Export Products Worldwide
In early 2025, Malaysia also faced a marked decline in export volumes, driven primarily by seasonal production downturns and environmental challenges. The EU’s tighter regulations requiring deforestation-free certification for imports have diminished access for palm oil exporting countries, especially Malaysia. In response, the government has introduced the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil certification scheme, which is a mandatory national standard that aligns its palm oil exports with sustainability standards within the international market.
# Top 3 - Global Palm Oil export by country in H1 2025: Peru | $49.71 million
Peru emerged as a notable palm oil exporting country, with exports totaling $49.7 million in the first half of 2025. While still far behind Southeast Asian giants, Peru has made significant strides.
TradeInt’s records showed significant fluctuations in Peru’s palm oil export, since the first three months of 2025 saw high export value, yet the figure dipped in May, before recovering in June.
The San Martín and Ucayali regions led export volumes, supported by increased yields and improved logistics. Palm oil is notable within Peru’s agro-export portfolio for high yield per hectare compared to other vegetable oils.
| Month | Export Volume (tons) | Export Value (USD) | Top Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22,591 | $23.9 million | Mexico, Chile, Ecuador |
| February | 11,457 | $12.6 million | Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Mexico |
| Q1–Q2 Total | 45,000* | $49.7 million* | Mexico (60–72%), Chile, Ecuador, others |
According to TradeInt’s global trade records, Mexico is the dominant destination, accounting for over 50% of the total value. It was followed by Honduras, which represented 30.41%. Four out of five top export markets of Peru’s palm oil are located in America, which highlights its extensive trade ties with neighboring markets, with the only exception being the fifth-largest market, the Netherlands.
| Country | Export Value ($USD million) |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 50.09 |
| Honduras | 30.41 |
| Guatemala | 9.7 |
| Venezuela | 8.84 |
| Netherlands | 0.96 |
Like other palm oil exporting countries, Peru also encounters challenges regarding concerns of increased deforestation and indigenous land rights, which may adversely influence the sector’s growth potential. In response, in March 2025, Peru introduced new regulations aimed at sustainable expansion of palm cultivation, focusing on competitiveness and environmental standards.
Furthermore, there is a plan to potentially expand cultivation, especially in the Ucayali region, which has been identified over 267,000 hectares suitable for palm oil production. With boosted production, exportable volume is expected to increase and drive the sector forward.
# Top 4 - Global Palm Oil export by country in H1 2025: Philippines | $44.51 million
The Philippines ranked fourth among the biggest palm oil exporting countries, as it exported $44.51 million worth of palm oil in H1 2025. India was the primary buyer, accounting for nearly 100% of total exports, while Malaysia and the UAE, which respectively ranked 2nd and 3rd, had minor shares (<1%).
TradeInt’s records also showed its export value peaked at over $20.82 million in April, before dropping sharply by 62.93% in May. The primary export commodity was crude palm oil, which represented 87.88% of the total figure.
Domestic palm oil production is modest, with an output of roughly 100,000 tons per year, accounting for 0.1% of the world’s total. It is expected to decline in 2025-2026, which will likely decrease the growth potential of its palm oil exports. However, the country also has significant processing capacity with five refineries and eleven mills, which suggests a potential new space for value-added exports of palm oil.
# Top 5 - Global Palm Oil export by country in H1 2025: Ghana | $41.08 million
Ghana rounded out the top five palm oil exporting countries, generating $41.08 million in export value. Based on TradeInt’s data, the figure remained consistently above $6 million for the first five months before declining to $3.55 million in June.
The biggest export market was Nigeria. It took up 80.76% of the total figure and was followed by Senegal, whose share was 6.71%. The remaining three markets in the top 5 largest ones are major economies, namely the Netherlands, the UK, and the US.
| Country | Export Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | 80.76 |
| Senegal | 6.71 |
| Netherlands | 5.9 |
| Others | 6.63 |
The government of Ghana is actively supporting the sector with a national oil palm policy that accelerates the industry by supporting local farmers, boosting processing capabilities, and attracting investments. In addition, it is also planning to expand industrial palm oil plantations by 50,000 hectares to ensure greater raw material availability for processors and reduce reliance on imports.
Navigating the ever-changing global palm oil landscape with TradeInt
Even the biggest palm oil exporting countries face ongoing challenges, including production volatility, policy changes, and demand shifts. To stay competitive, traders and exporters need reliable insights and tools to make informed decisions.
TradeInt delivers updated trade records, insightful visualizations, and comprehensive trend analyses. From export values and product breakdowns to leading destinations and market dynamics, TradeInt helps professionals navigate a fast-changing global environment.
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