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The main origins of supply for the world's oils
and fats market fall into four main categories:
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tree crops -
e.g. coconut, palm, palm kernel and olive |
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annually planted
oilseed crops - e.g. rapeseed, sunflower, soyabean, and corn maize |
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fish oils |
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animal fats e.g. butter, lard and tallow (beef fat) |
Vegetable oils e.g. sunflower, olive and rapeseed
are the most commonly used oils in the manufacture of margarine and spreads and
are normally extracted from seeds, kernels and nuts. Another useful source of
edible oil is the palm tree, which is not to be confused with the more slender
coconut palm. The fruit of the palm tree grows in large bunches which may
contain over a thousand fruits. The map below illustrates the worlds supply of
oils and fats, which is followed by a description of each of the main oils and
fats.
WORLD SUPPLY OF OILS AND FATS
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Rapeseed oil is high in monounsaturates
and low in saturates. The oil is used in cooking and in the making of
spreads.
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Sunflowers have a high oil content. Sunflower oil
is very high in polyunsaturates and low in saturates.
Sunflower oil is used in spreads manufacture, for
use in cooking and is ideal for dressing salads. The seeds can also be eaten as
a snack.
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The palm oil tree originated in West Africa but
is now found mainly in Malaysia.
Two kinds of oil are produced from palm fruit.
Palm oil is extracted from the fleshy part of the fruit and palm kernel oil from
the kernel frond at the centre of the fruit.
Both types of oil can be used in the manufacture
of margarines and spreads. Palm kernel oil is also supplied to the manufacturers
of confectionery.
Palm oil is high in saturates.
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The soya bean has been grown as a staple food for
years in the Fast East, but the main producer of the soya bean today is the
mid-west of the USA. There is an abundant supply of soya bean oil which ensures
its use in margarine and spread.
Soya beans also make the protein rich bean curd.
This is increasingly being used in the development of new soya products,
particularly popular with the expanding numbers of vegetarians worldwide.
Soya bean oil is high in polyunsaturates and
low in saturates.
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The main producer of the olive is Italy, but it
is grown in Turkey, Tunisia, Spain and Greece.
Olive oil is high in monounsaturates and
low in saturates. Olive oil can be used for cooking or as a salad
dressing and the olive itself can be eaten cooked or uncooked. Olive oil is now
also used in spreads. There are various types of olive oil. Virgin olive oil is
the most commonly used and extra virgin olive oil which is the more expensive.
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Corn maize is American in origin although it can
now be found worldwide.
Corn oil is high in polyunsaturates and
low in saturates. The oil can be used for cooking and salad dressing.
Corn oil is not generally used in the manufacture of spreads and margarine.
Other parts of the corn maize are extensively used in bread, muffins and cakes
and cornflakes are eaten as a breakfast cereal.
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