INTRODUCTION
The oil palm is a perennial crop that
originated in the tropical rain forest of West Africa.
It spread to South America in the 16th century and
to Asia in the 19th century. During the 1970s, Asia
overtook Africa as the principal oil palm producing
region in the world. In recent decades, the domestic
consumption of palm oil in West Africa has
increased more rapidly than its production. After
centuries as the leading producing and exporting
region, West Africa has now become a net importer
of palm oil.