Indigenous to West Africa, oil palm is an important crop for both industrial, retail and consumer markets. In 2013, West Africa’s palm oil output was 2.2 million metric tons (MT), which accounts for only 3.5% of global output. Today, the demand for palm oil in the West African region exceeds its supply, and the region is a net importer of palm oil, with a deficit of 850,000 to 900,000 tons, per year that is provided for by imports from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Cote D’Ivoire is the only net exporter in West Africa, and exports an estimated 275,000 MT with about 75% of its export going to West Africa.