Colombia could produce over 2 mln tons of crude palm oil for the first time

Colombia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production could exceed 2 mln tons for the first time in 2026. After reaching a record 1.93 mln tons in 2025, up 12% year-on-year, further growth is being supported by expanding planted area and newer plantations entering maturity.

Oil palm area reached around 641 thsd ha in 2025, up 5% from a year earlier. The increase in domestic CPO supply allows Colombia to expand biodiesel production without relying on imported feedstock.

Biodiesel production is expected to reach 765 mln litres in 2026, up 4.5% year-on-year. Around 670 thsd tons of crude palm oil could be used for biodiesel production, compared with 642 thsd tons in 2025.

Biodiesel remains the second-largest domestic use of CPO after the food sector. Colombia maintains a mandatory 10% biodiesel blend and is almost entirely self-sufficient in feedstock for domestic production.

SAF could become an additional source of demand in the longer term. Colombia plans to increase SAF production to 378.5 mln litres by 2035 and 1.7 bln litres by 2050, potentially creating a new outlet for vegetable-based feedstocks.

Tags: Colombia, Crude palm oil, biodiesel, palm oil