Palm nuts and kernels market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

ASEAN's production of palm nuts and kernels expanded over the 2018-2023 period, rising from 320.8 million tons to 354.4 million tons. This overall growth was driven by several years of consecutive increases, reflecting the region's dominant role in global palm oil feedstock supply.

The market reached its peak in 2021 at 361.4 million tons, following particularly strong growth from 2020. A moderate contraction to 352.5 million tons occurred in 2022, before production stabilized at 354.4 million tons in 2023.

Throughout these years, the market volume demonstrated resilience, maintaining output above 350 million tons annually from 2021 onward despite the minor fluctuation.

Production palm nuts and kernels in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

ASEAN's production of palm nuts and kernels has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 341.2 million tonnes, marking a modest 2.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Exports palm nuts and kernels from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 4.8-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, ASEAN exported 4,274 tonnes of palm nuts and kernels, representing a solid 20.6% improvement over the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 12,283 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 71.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 383.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading destination for exports in volume, accounting for 0.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. It peaked in 2018 and hit a low in 2019, with a 3.7-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, ASEAN's palm nuts and kernels exports totaled 13,217 thousand US dollars, up 31.4% from the year before. The minimum value was in 2019 at 10,056 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 37,378 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 73.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 77.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—India, China, and Nigeria—collectively made up 6.9% of ASEAN's total palm nuts and kernels exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020

Imports palm nuts and kernels to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports varied by 2.5 times, with the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, ASEAN imported 9,163 tonnes of palm nuts and kernels, showing an 8.5% advance from the previous year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 14,652 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2019, decreasing by 42.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, jumping by 147.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Papua New Guinea and India were the main sources for imports in volume, together representing 2.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Values reached their maximum in 2018 and their minimum in 2017, with a 1.7-fold shift. In 2020, ASEAN's imports of palm nuts and kernels amounted to 23,182 thousand US dollars, reflecting a limited gain of 6.3% compared to the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at 35,983 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 39.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 71.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017–2020, Papua New Guinea and India remained the primary sources for imports in value terms, accounting for 6.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020