Palm oil is known internationally as our most despised crop. It’s cheap, it’s controversial wherever it’s mentioned, and it’s pretty much one of the main reasons for deforestation around the world. It’s hard to find products that don’t contain palm oil: from food and makeup to soap and even ink, palm oil is everywhere.
But despite being boycotted by many activist groups, it’s still one of the most widely used ingredients – more than 73 million tons a year, to be precise. Why do you ask? Due to its low price and value, the African palm can produce ten times more oil than soybeans and other vegetable oils.
What is palm oil?
Palm oil is the edible vegetable oil that comes from the oil palm and its fruits. This tree produces two types of oil: crude palm oil, which is derived from the pulp, and palm kernel oil, which results from crushing the kernel in half. However, although palm oil is found in nearly 50% of what we find in grocery stores today, its use is highly problematic and controversial.
The tragic history of palm oil and what is its problem
Palm oil has a bad reputation due to its history of colonialism and exploitation. It first entered the economy in the 16th century, on transatlantic slave trading ships, where slaves were forced to survive on it. After Europeans learned that palm oil could heal bruises or bodily strains, they used it on slaves before sending them up for auction.
Soon after, in the late 18th century, British companies added it to soap, and in 1807 the British abolished the use of slaves, prompting traders to seek legal products. Over the next few years, Britain lowered tariffs on palm oil, encouraging Africa to start producing it.
In the 1840s, palm oil was cheap enough to replace other ingredients like candles and soap. While previously considered a luxury good, it was now extremely common. By adding chemicals, they turned it into a mild ingredient that could be used in place of more expensive fats.
In the 1990s, when trans fats were banned, palm oil was used as a cheap alternative that got the job done and consumers couldn’t even tell the difference. It was used to dye margarine yellow and helped the product stay firm at room temperature.
What is happening today with palm oil?
Although it is a staple in many industries, the EU has decided to phase out the use of palm oil biofuels due to growing concerns about deforestation. Countries like Indonesia, by contrast, refuse to give up and want to take the cake on their biodiesel.
Although we are not where we need to be in the fight against palm oil, endangered animals are getting more press and educating people about the fact that nearly 200 species are at risk of extinction in the name of palm plantations. oilcan. This includes African forest elephants, orangutans, and tigers.
Why not switch to another vegetable oil?
If only it were that easy. Some proponents argue that abandoning palm oil may actually make matters worse, because other oil crops would require more land to grow these alternative substitutes.
Getting similar amounts of palm oil would be quite a feat, as it supplies 40% of the world’s vegetable oil on only 6% of the land that produces vegetable oil. Take coconut or sunflower oil for example: it would take up to 10 times more land to get the same amount, which would simply create more problems in other areas of our planet, threatening different habitats.
The solution
There are sustainable methods of producing palm oil and hopefully they will gain ground for long-term use and help save our planet. Using small-scale agroforestry, like the techniques used in Africa, can be profitable and also help save the environment.
For deforestation to stop occurring at the current rate due to the effect of palm oil, we need more companies to be transparent in the use and sourcing of the ingredient, put in place stronger policies to protect ecosystems and human rights, and only use palm oil. RSPO certified palm. .
If enough customers take action and stop tolerating this issue, it will make all the difference. But today, many customers are not willing to pay more for fairly produced and sustainable products. Until that happens, cheap palm oil and the repercussions for the environment and vulnerable communities will continue to occur.
