10 Best Palm Oil Processing Companies In Nigeria

07 Oct 2025

Palm oil is one of Nigeria’s strategic agricultural commodities due to its use in cooking oils, industrial fats, soaps, cosmetics, oleochemicals, and animal feed. In recent years, demand has increased both domestically and for export, while costs pressures (imported substitutes, international price changes) and government policies (tariffs, land allocation, sustainability demands) have pushed for more local production and processing. The best palm oil processors in Nigeria share a number of strengths: Large plantations / estates: Companies like Okomu and Presco have tens of thousands of hectares under cultivation, which gives them better raw material supply and economies of scale. Integrated operations: Processing fresh fruit bunches (FFB) into crude palm oil, and then refining, kernel crushing, kernel oil, kernel cake, etc. Vertical integration helps margin and stability. Modern mill & refining capacity: High throughput mills, refining operations, and good machinery help reduce losses and increase quality. Regulatory compliance & sustainability: Certification, good agricultural practices, environmental management, and social responsibility are increasingly important—especially for export markets or premium domestic brands. Strong financial performance & transparency: Publicly listed companies like Okomu and Presco have good financial track records, which also attracts investment. Recent reports show strong profit increases in palm oil sector on the back of higher demand and stable output. thejunction.ng +1 Challenges facing the industry include: securing enough high-yield seedlings and quality planting materials; ensuring consistent labor and plantation maintenance; infrastructure / roads for mill access; power costs; access to credit; stabilizing prices amidst fluctuating global oil markets; environmental issues like deforestation and sustainability pressure; and competition from imported edible oils or crude substitutes. Overall, the sector is strong and growing. Companies that manage risk, maintain quality, and invest in plantation, processing, and sustainability are likely to perform best.