The use of vegetable oil across various industries spans thousands of years. According to vegetable oil statistics, countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and China make billions of dollars annually exporting locally produced vegetable oils.
Because vegetable oils have become a vital part of our daily lives, we at Supplements101 have decided to educate our readers on the various health benefits and challenges that come with the usage, consumption, and production of vegetable oils.
Read on to find out more, but first, check out some of the most intriguing statistics and facts we could find on vegetable oil.
Top 10 Vegetable Oil Statistics and Facts
- The production of vegetable oil production reached 203.91 million metric tons worldwide.
- Vegetable oil contains a high level of polyunsaturated fats.
- Vegetable oil has a high smoking point, which makes it ideal for cooking.
- Vegetable oil has antibacterial activities.
- Cold-pressed oils retain more nutrients during extraction compared to hydrogenated oils.
- Chemicals used in processing hydrogenated oil can be harmful to the human body.
- The global vegetable oil market is worth $106.9 billion in 2020.
- Palm oil represents the largest vegetable oil market in 2020.
- Food consumption is the largest area of application for palm oil.
- Rapeseed oil is the most used vegetable oil for cooking.
General Vegetable Oil Statistics and Facts
1. The production of vegetable oil production reached 203.91 million metric tons worldwide.
(Statista)
Edible oils are obtained from specific plants such as sunflower seed, peanuts, olive plant, soybean seed, palm fruit, etc. The extraction process involves the pressing together of these plant seeds under high pressure to extract the oil.
Industrially, the oil is further purified and chemically altered to increase its shelf life, while also restoring their natural nutrients, as revealed by vegetable oil nutrition facts.
2. Vegetable oils contain a high level of polyunsaturated fats.
(Healthline)
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the two forms of polyunsaturated fats found in vegetable oils.
According to the statistics on vegetable oil benefits, omega-3 fats have anti-inflammatory properties, while omega-6s increase inflammation.
3. Eating too many unsaturated fats can lead to severe health conditions.
(Healthline)
According to vegetable oil facts, the unbalanced level of omega-3, omega-6, and other monounsaturated fats can lead to several health conditions, such as chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular problems.
4. Vegetable oil has anti-oxidizing properties.
(IntechOpen)
Vegetable oils like peanut and almond oil are rich in vitamin E, and this vitamin helps protect the body from cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, etc.
Production of Vegetable Oil: Stats and Facts
5. Palm oil makes up 35% of the global edible oil supply.
(Time)
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil harvested from the fruits of oil palms. Currently, 35% of the world’s edible oil production comes from palm oil.
Palm oil is used across various industries for producing different food and non-food products, such as deodorants, lipstick, pizza, etc. Statistics have it that the global palm oil production for 2019 was at 72.27 million metric tonnes.
6. 21.2 million metric tonnes of sunflower oil was produced in 2019/2020.
(Time, Statista)
Naturally, we get sunflower oil from the seeds of sunflower plants. The total number of sunflower oil produced in 2019 amounted to 21.2 million metric tonnes, as revealed by the global vegetable oil market statistics.
7. The global production of soybean oil has amounted to 56 million metric tonnes in the past 2 years.
(Time, USSOY)
Soybean oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of soybean plants. It’s one of the most popular edible oils used in cooking due to its high smoke point and rich polyunsaturated fat content.
8. The global production of peanut oil has reached 6.05 million metric tonnes in two years, due to the many benefits of this vegetable oil.
(Time, Statista)
Peanut oil, also known as groundnut oil, is another vegetable oil extracted from the peanut plant’s edible seeds.
Peanut oil has a very high smoking point, making it ideal for frying.
9. Global cottonseed oil production amounted to 44.84 million metric tonnes in the season 2019/2020.
(Time, Statista)
Cottonseed oil is high on the list of vegetable oils, as its extracted from the cottonseed plant and refined to remove gossypol.
Gossypol is a naturally occurring toxin of the cottonseed plant that protects it from insects and gives it the yellow color. Therefore, the unrefined form of cottonseed oil can be used as an insecticide.
10. The global production of coconut oil has amounted to 3.62 million metric tonnes in the past two years.
(Time, Statista)
Coconut oil is another form of edible oil, and it’s extracted from the meat of coconuts. Many global coconut oil importers recognize its health benefits in preventing heart conditions, controlling blood sugar, reducing stress, and aiding weight loss.
11. The global production of olive oil amounts to 3.12 million metric tonnes.
(Time, Statista)
Olive oil is extracted from the olive plant and is composed primarily of the monounsaturated fat called oleic acid. The oil has anti-oxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties and may help fight Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the global vegetable oil industry statistics, olive oil production was at 3.12 million metric tonnes in 2019.
Uses of Vegetable Oil
12. Vegetable oil is ideal for cooking, as it has a high smoking point.
(VeryWellFit)
When it comes to preparing food with vegetable oils, the facts show that the presence of high-fat content in vegetable oils makes them perfect for cooking.
The high-fat content in vegetable oils equals less free fatty acids, directly affecting their smoking point. Likewise, a higher number of free fatty acids implies a lower melting point.
13. Vegetable oil is used in the production of pet food.
(Petnet)
Animals need omega-3 and omega-6 fats as they play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of healthy skin and fur.
The vegetable oil demand is on the rise as it is added to pet food to supply pets with omega-3 and omega-6 fats and improve their food’s overall digestibility.
14. Manufacturers use vegetable oil to produce perfumes.
(Byrdie)
To perfume creators, vegetable oil is the perfect substitute for alcohol when creating a non-alcoholic perfume. This specifically benefits people who might be allergic or whose skin may be sensitive.
Olive oil, sunflower oil, and sesame oil are some of the most commonly used vegetable oils in perfumery.
15. Vegetable oil companies supply soap manufacturers with this vital ingredient.
(CBI)
The presence of vegetable oils in soap making gives soaps their solid or liquid structure at room temperature, depending on the alkaline structure they are mixed with.
When combined with the sodium alkaline solution, a solid soap is formed. On the other hand, when a potassium alkaline solution is used, liquid soap is created.
16. Vegetable oil is used in painting.
(ResearchGate)
Vegetable oils are used as film-formers that protect the surface of a painting. Soybean and linseed oil are some of the most commonly used forms of vegetable oil in painting.
17. Vegetable oil is used as a substitute for petroleum-based fuel.
(ResearchGate)
Besides using vegetable oils for consumption and cosmetics, we can also use them as fuel.
Namely, with little tweaks to combat high viscosity, low atomization, and heavy particulate emission, diesel engines can be adjusted to run on vegetable oil.
Health Benefits of Vegetable Oil: Stats and Facts
18. Vegetable oil may lower the risk of heart problems.
(HHP)
Both saturated and unsaturated fats are essential in different proportions. The excess saturated fats have been linked to cardiovascular diseases such as increased blood sugar levels, increased cholesterol levels, etc.
However, most vegetable oils predominantly contain unsaturated fats and are liquid at room temperature. These kinds of vegetable oils are safe for consumption.
19. Vegetable oil lowers the chance of developing breast cancer.
(Healthline)
Research has shown that the omega-3 fats contained in vegetable oils have anticancer properties. According to the recent statistics on the different vegetable oil types for health preservation, the oil helps reduce breast cancer risk.
20. Vegetable oil helps boost the immune system.
(Better Health Channel)
Lauric acid is a substance found in most vegetable oils. It has antibacterial properties, as it forms an environment that’s hostile to viruses.
21. Coconut oil helps increase metabolism.
(Healthline)
Vegetable oil consumption statistics show that both coconut and olive oil possess phenolic compounds. These compounds have anti-oxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties, and they also help improve the metabolic rate of the body.
22. Vegetable oil has antioxidants that help in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
(WebMD)
Vegetable oils such as sesame oil contain tyrosine, which directly affects serotonin activity in the body and brain.
The presence of serotonin can help lift one’s mood by flooding the body with hormones and enzymes that make people happy, as revealed by the vegetable oil statistics.
A lack of serotonin, on the other hand, has been associated with depression.
23. Vegetable oil helps cure acute pancreatitis.
(NutraIngredients)
Vegetable oils such as olive and fish oil have high hydroxytyrosol and oleic acid content. This affects the development of cellular mechanisms, which may lead to acute pancreatitis.
24. Vegetable oils have antibacterial activities.
(NCBI)
The presence of linolenic acid in vegetable oil fats helps disrupt harmful bacteria activities, as supported by the vegetable oil facts derived from recent research.
25. Vegetable oils may help reduce osteoporosis-related bone loss.
(ScienceDaily)
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs due to a loss in bone mineral density, thereby leading to bone mass loss.
Vegetable oil supplements such as coconut oil are loaded with antioxidants that help lower bone loss and improve bone volume, making vegetable oil in supplements extremely popular.
26. Linolenic acid found in vegetable oil destroys gastric disease bacteria.
(UC San Diego Health)
Stomach ulcers are caused by anti-inflammatory drugs and bacteria activities in the stomach that damage the stomach lining.
Vegetable oils help improve digestion by absorbing the vitamins needed for destroying harmful bacteria in the stomach.
Vegetable Oil Production: Statistics and Facts
27. The use of hydrogenated oil can lead to high blood sugar.
(Healthline)
Hydrogenated oils affect blood sugar levels by increasing insulin resistance.
An increase in insulin resistance affects the body’s ability to properly utilize it when regulating blood sugar, increasing its level.
28. Hydrogenated vegetable oil helps in the creation of trans-fats in the body.
(Healthline)
Hydrogenation of vegetable oils is a process that only occurs during high temperatures.
However, heating vegetable oils above their smoke point helps create trans fats, which have been associated with dangerous health conditions, such as increased cholesterol levels, heart diseases, and stroke.
29. Hydrogenated oil may cause chronic inflammation.
(Healthline)
The vegetable oil facts confirm that acute inflammation is the body’s immune response to illnesses, infections, and injuries.
Chronic inflammation can lead to conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
30. Cold-pressed oil retains more nutrients during extraction compared to its hydrogenated counterpart.
(ResearchGate)
During the refinement process of vegetable oil, essential substances such as lauric acid are lost. However, cold-pressed vegetable oil retains most of its original nutrients.
31. Chemical content used in processing hydrogenated vegetable oil harms the human body.
(Healthline)
To increase the shelf life of vegetable oil, some manufacturers treat them with chemicals and bleaching agents. These chemicals leave harmful residues that cause damage to the human body.
Conversely, cold-pressed oil doesn’t require any refinement after extraction, making it a healthier option.
32. When it comes to cold-pressed vegetable oils, facts reveal that they enhance the production of good cholesterol.
(WebMD)
Cholesterol is produced naturally by the body but is also consumed through fatty foods. Consuming cold-pressed vegetable oil that mostly comprises unsaturated fats is an excellent way to keep cholesterol levels in check.
However, the consumption of saturated fats (which contain cholesterol) can increase the body’s cholesterol level, increasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Vegetable Oil Industry: Statistics and Facts
33. The global vegetable oil market is worth $106.9 billion.
(Statista)
In 2015, the vegetable oil industry had a revenue of $86.5 billion.
Vegetable oils have had diverse applications across many fields, so they play a significant role in increasing the vegetable oil market size.
34. Palm oil holds the largest share of the vegetable oil market in 2020.
(Statista)
In 2019, 71.48 million metric tonnes of palm oil were consumed globally. This makes it the most consumed type of vegetable oil worldwide, as revealed by global palm oil consumption statistics.
Soybean oil (55.46 million metric tonnes) and sunflower seed oil (19.33 million metric tonnes) represent the other large markets when it comes to global vegetable oil consumption.
35. Asia-Pacific produces the most palm oil globally.
(Grand View Research)
Statistics on vegetable oil production by country show that countries such as Malaysia, China, and Indonesia are the top producers of palm oil and many other types of vegetable oil.
36. The global palm oil market could rise to $78 billion by 2027.
(BusinessWire)
The vast applications and industrial demand for palm oil are helping drive the market, as revealed by statistics on vegetable oil sales.
Palm oil has uses in cosmetics, cooking, pharmaceuticals, as well as in making biofuels. What’s more, it’s poised to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% between 2020–2027.
Vegetable Oil Consumption: Statistics and Facts
37. Palm oil is most commonly found in food products.
(Statista)
Slowly but surely, vegetable oils have gradually replaced animal fats in our diets. This stems mainly from their high unsaturated fat content.
Research shows that vegetable oils, such as palm and rapeseed oil, are mainly used for food consumption.
38. Rapeseed oil is widely used for cooking.
(Statista)
When it comes to the question of palm oil vs. canola oil (also known as rapeseed oil), canola oil has a higher omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This makes it ideal for human consumption due to the health benefits provided by the omega-3s and omega-6s.
39. Soybean oil is the most consumed form of edible oil in the US.
(Statista)
Soybean oil has a high smoking point and is also rich in polyunsaturated fats, which have been renowned for their importance in heart-health and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
In 2018, the total consumption of soybean oil in America was at 10.07 million metric tonnes, as revealed by statistics on vegetable oil by country.
40. India remains the largest importer of vegetable oil worldwide.
(USDA)
India needs 25 million metric tonnes of vegetable oil yearly to meet local demand of the current estimated vegetable oil consumption per person, which is 19 kg.
The data on edible oil consumption by country shows that only 10.5 million tonnes are produced locally, and the rest is imported. Reports go further to indicate that China is the second country with the most significant number of vegetable oil imports yearly.
FAQs
How is vegetable oil made?
Vegetable oil is made from seeds of plants or the fleshy part of some fruits, e.g., olives. The oil content of these seeds and fruits may range between 1–60% and can be extracted locally or industrially.
Naturally, some vegetable oils such as castor oil are poisonous for human consumption unless they are refined. In such a case, the oils are used as insecticides or fertilizers, depending on the toxic content.
How is vegetable oil produced?
Vegetable oil can be produced in two ways: mechanical cold-pressing or mechanical treatment.
Cold-pressed vegetable oils are mechanically pressed together at low temperatures to extract the seeds’ oil content. After that, the extracted oils are sieved, packaged, and ready for consumption.
Conversely, hydrogenated oils are produced by introducing chemicals and bleaching agents to purify and improve their shelf life.
What is the hydrogenation of vegetable oil in nutrition?
Hydrogenation is the process used to improve the shelf life of vegetable oil and maintain its nutritious value. It makes vegetable oil resistant to oxidation and improves its taste and texture.
However, hydrogenation of vegetable oils creates trans-fats, a type of unsaturated fat that is harmful to human health.
What are the benefits of vegetable oil?
Vegetable oil helps with the following:
- Heart problems
- Breast cancer
- Immune health
- Metabolism
- Anxiety and depression
- Acute pancreatitis
- Inflammation
- Osteoporosis
- Stomach ulcers
Conclusion
Over the years, vegetable oil has found immense applications across various industries such as personal care and cosmetics, food and beverage, automotive industry, pharmaceuticals, etc.
The vegetable oil statistics show that these oils can be a great source of unsaturated fats and vitamins such as vitamins E and D when adequately extracted and consumed.
Sources:
- BetterHealth
- BusinessWire
- Byrdie
- CBI
- Grand View Research
- Healthline
- Healthline
- Healthline
- Healthline
- HHP
- IntechOpen
- NCBI
- NutraIngredients
- Petnet
- ResearchGate
- ResearchGate
- ResearchGate
- ScienceDaily
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Time
- UCSD
- USDA
- USSOY
- VeryWellFit
- WebMD
- WebMD
