Palm oil imports in China
China: Palm oil imports was 5.64 million tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Palm oil imports in China, 1961–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for palm oil imports in China is 5.64 million tonnes, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 14.0% on the previous year and down 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, palm oil imports in China peaked at 7.55 million tonnes in 2019 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 1961.
China ranks 2nd of 189 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 111.11 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 1,000 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 10,700 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 42,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 178,000 tonnes | 16,000 tonnes | 738,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.08 million tonnes | 585,000 tonnes | 1.47 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.02 million tonnes | 1.53 million tonnes | 6.64 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.76 million tonnes | 4.48 million tonnes | 7.55 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.85 million tonnes | 4.94 million tonnes | 6.46 million tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
- 1 India 9.35 million tonnes compare
- 3 Pakistan 2.98 million tonnes compare
- 4 United States 1.85 million tonnes compare
- 5 Bangladesh 1.63 million tonnes compare
More energy & mining data for China
- Fuel imports 20.4% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 15.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 1.5% (2024)
- Gas production 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 1.5% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 3.4% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 59.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is palm oil imports in China?
- Palm oil imports in China was 5.64 million tonnes in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest palm oil imports recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 7.55 million tonnes in 2019.
- What is the lowest palm oil imports recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 1961.
- How does China rank for palm oil imports?
- China ranks 2nd out of 189 countries with data for 2023.
- Is palm oil imports rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Palm oil imports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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