Palm Kernel Cake (PKC)

Palm kernel cake, also traded as palm kernel expeller or PKE, is what remains after oil is pressed from the palm kernel. It is a coarse, fibrous meal carrying 14–18% crude protein and residual oil, and it has become a staple energy and protein source in compound feed across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Its economics are what drive demand. On a cost-per-unit-protein basis PKC competes directly with soybean meal and copra cake while typically trading at a discount, and its residual oil content adds metabolisable energy that pure protein meals do not. For ruminant nutrition in particular, the fibre structure is an asset rather than a limitation, and dairy and beef producers use it at high inclusion rates.

Inclusion rates differ by species. Ruminants tolerate PKC well and it is commonly used at 30% and above in dairy and beef rations. Poultry and swine diets take lower inclusion, typically 5–15%, because the fibre and mannan content limits digestibility for monogastrics. Aquaculture feed formulators use it as a partial replacement for more expensive protein sources in tilapia and catfish diets.

iFlowdeck supplies PKC in 50 kg polypropylene bags and in bulk, with moisture controlled at loading to prevent caking and mould in transit, which is a real risk on long ocean routes if the material ships wet. Every consignment is sampled for protein, fibre, oil, moisture and aflatoxin, and we ship with the analysis certificate feed buyers need for their own quality systems.