Wholesale Groundnut Oil Suppliers — Bulk Refined & Cold-Pressed Peanut Oil

Groundnut oil grades, applications, and commercial demand

Groundnut oil — also called peanut oil or arachis oil — is extracted from peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) by expeller pressing and/or solvent extraction, followed by refining. It is one of the most important edible oils in Asia and West Africa, and is prized in food service for its high smoke point and clean frying performance. **Refined groundnut oil** (RBD peanut oil) has a smoke point of approximately 225–232°C, a mild neutral flavour, and good oxidative stability relative to high-linoleic oils. Its fatty acid profile (approximately 50% monounsaturated oleic acid, 32% linoleic acid) provides a balance of stability and nutritional positioning. Refined groundnut oil is the dominant commercial grade for food service frying, snack and nut-based product manufacturing, and food processing in China and India — the two largest consumers. In West Africa, refined groundnut oil is a primary domestic cooking oil in countries including Senegal, Gambia, and Nigeria. **Cold-pressed (unrefined) groundnut oil** retains a distinctive roasted peanut aroma and flavour, a darker colour, and is positioned as a premium product for salad dressings, cold applications, and artisan food service. It is also the preferred grade for producing peanut butter and peanut-flavoured products where the oil serves a functional and flavour role. Cold-pressed peanut oil from small-scale West African producers (particularly Senegal) commands a premium for natural and origin-specific positioning. **Food service application:** Groundnut oil has historically been the preferred frying oil for fish-and-chip shops in the UK, French fry operations in continental Europe, and for wok and deep-frying in Chinese food service globally — valued for its clean frying performance, neutral flavour transfer, and ability to handle repeated high-temperature cycling without deteriorating as quickly as high-linoleic oils. It is also the standard oil for deep frying turkey in the US Thanksgiving tradition. **Allergen critical note:** Peanut is a major allergen in all key markets (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia). Refined groundnut oil is subject to specific regulatory treatment: in the EU, highly refined peanut oil is exempt from allergen labelling (EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II, footnote) on the basis that the refining process removes the allergenic proteins to below detectable levels. However, cold-pressed or unrefined peanut oil must still be declared as an allergen. US FDA and UK FSA have different positions — always consult your regulatory advisor for your specific market and product application.