Jill T Frey
Palm oil has become the most consumed vegetable oil worldwide. Companies that produce other types of oils generate false information with the intention of creating a bad perception about this versatile oil. One of the topics where more false information is spread is about palm oil deforestation. In the following article we are going to mention the importance that palm oil has over other types of vegetable oils for the development of society and the economy, as well as all the achievements that have been made to avoid palm oil deforestation at a global level. It is important to understand that there are no alternatives to palm oil. There is no other oil crop capable of producing the same amount of oil per square meter planted.
Statistics do not lie
Mathematics has always played a fundamental role in better understanding a problem and finding a solution. From 1990 to 2015, palm oil deforestation was responsible for only 2.3% of global deforestation. So how is it possible that palm oil plantations have increased without the need for deforestation? Over the years, thanks to the increasing demand for palm oil, coffee and rubber farmers have migrated to this crop. As a result, there are more palm oil crops without the need for further deforestation. In fact, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI), 2020 was the fourth straight year that palm oil deforestation has been trending down. This is due to the creation of alliances such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the development of methods that help improve crop performance without the need for more land.
Palm oil is irreplaceable
You may have seen some advertisements mentioning that it is necessary to use other edible oils to reduce palm oil deforestation. This is not true. Each oil palm is capable of producing about 40 kg of oil each year. That is 4 to 10 times more than other types of oil crops such as sunflower, canola or olive oil. Moreover, there is no other oil that can be used in the production of as many products as palm oil. You should research more about the reality of palm oil deforestation and the achievements that have been made so far. Palm oil is present in more products than any other vegetable oil. Therefore, it is an essential part of the planet’s sustainable development. We invite you to learn more about this incredible oil and all its benefits.
