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Oil Yields of Common Crops for BioDiesel:

For every 100 kilograms of fruit bunches, typically 22 kilograms of palm oil and 1.6 kilograms of palm kernel oil can be extracted.

The high productivity of the oil palm at producing oil has made it the prime source of vegetable oil for many tropical countries. It is also likely to be used for producing the necessary vegetable oil for biodiesel, an example being a planned refinery in Darwin, Australia which will import the palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Link to Wikepedia for Oil Palm

NOTE:
The yields from the traditional “Oil-seed Crops” such as Soya, sunflower, canola, peanuts etc are a mere fraction of what can be extracted from the seeds and fruits of some trees. Trees typically are planted  for a longer-term plantation operation (up to 50 years between re-plantings) and do not require regular replanting cycles.

The table herewith provides comparative statistics that show why Oil Palm, Jatropha etc are becoming so popular.

The trees endure for 30 to 50 years and do not require frequent replanting.

While Jatropha pulp residue was considered unpalatable for use as a livestock feed, recent developments reported by D1 Oils have now solved this problem and;

The Jatropha press-cake can now be utilised as a high-protein livestock resource! 

The Jatropha tree is very hardy and will grow in low rainfall areas or semi-desert. However if high yields are expected, then the reality is that fruit will only be yielded in commercial quantities, if the plantation is adequately nourished and watered.

Oil Palm is the most developed economic source of oil from cultivated crops, but requires  a particularly tropical environment for optimum growth.

Extraction of Biofuel from Algae is even more promising but is still in the trial-research stage!

The yield given for Jatropha is in line with other local practical observation and research results.

Figures for Oil Palm reflect the current commercial success of this plant for BioFuel use; but note special climatic conditions needed.

The documents listed below can be downloaded from this website