Secrets To A Better Nuts And Oilseeds Oil Yield

Have you ever finished pressing a batch and felt like the result was kinda disappointing? I know. It’s quite frustrating to see your seeds only turn to a very small amount of oil. You start to wonder if you’re doing something wrong or if your equipment just isn’t up to the task. The thing is, maximizing your oil output isn’t about one single secret; it’s about understanding a few key factors that all work together. And once you make some changes, you can see a huge difference in your results.

We’re going to walk through the practical steps you can take to boost your production. From picking the right seeds to fine-tuning your press, we’ll cover the simple adjustments that can turn a mediocre pressing session into a highly profitable one. I think you’ll be surprised at how small changes can lead to a much bigger oil yield and, ultimately, more money in your pocket.

What Does Oil Yield Mean?

Are you wondering what people even mean by “oil yield”? It’s basically the amount of oil you get from a certain amount of raw material. Think of it as a percentage. If you press 100 kilograms of sunflower seeds and get 30 kilograms of oil, your oil yield is 30%. Easy enough, right? But here’s the thing—that number is directly tied to your profitability.
Every drop of oil left behind in the press cake is money you’re not making. For small-scale producers, this is huge. Let’s imagine you’re pressing groundnuts. Boosting your Nuts Oil Yield by just 2% might not sound like a lot, but for every ton of nuts you process, that’s an extra 20 liters of oil. That could add up to hundreds, or even thousands, of rupiahs or dollars over a year. So, when we talk about improving oil yield, we’re really talking about making your operation more efficient and profitable.
Which is exactly the point. A higher yield means a better return on your investment in seeds, equipment, and your time.

How to Increase Oil Yield from Nuts and Oilseeds?

I wish I could tell you there’s one single ultimate method or device for a higher oil yield, but the truth is a little more hands-on. It’s not one big thing, but a series of small, important steps that work together. The final output is influenced by a whole range of factors, and I mean a lot.
We’re talking about everything from the oilseed itself—its type, specific variety, and even quality grade—to how you prepare it. Think about the moisture content of the seeds, the level of impurities like sand or twigs, and the pressing temperature you choose. And that’s not all. Your pressing method, whether it’s a screw press versus a hydraulic press, or hot pressing versus cold pressing, plays a huge role. Even the pressure settings on your equipment and the overall reliability of your machine can make or break your results.
The good news? None of this is rocket science. We’re about to walk through each of these points so you can pinpoint exactly where you can make simple tweaks for a bigger return.

How Do Crop Types and Varieties Affect Oil Yield?

Ever wonder why some peanuts just seem to produce more oil than others? Well, you’re not imagining it. The type and quality of the raw material you start with is, without a doubt, one of the biggest factors in determining your final oil yield. It’s something we struggle with, but it’s a basic place to start.
One of my clients from Malaysia commented on his farm: some varieties of sunflowers are specifically bred to be oil-rich, while others are grown for snacking and have a lower oil content. The same goes for nuts. Plump, mature groundnuts will naturally contain more oil than shriveled, underdeveloped ones. I’ve been in your shoes, trying to get oil from a low-quality batch of seeds, and the results are always disappointing. It’s not your fault; there just isn’t much oil there to begin with.
So, the first step to a better yield is always to start with the best quality, highest oil-content crops you can find. It sets you up for success before you even turn on the oil press Machine.

The "Just Right" Moisture Level for Higher Oil Yield

I know how frustrating it is to do everything right and still get a low Oilseeds Oil Yield. Oftentimes, the problem is something you can’t even see: moisture. The moisture content of your seeds or nuts has to be just right, kind of like Goldilocks’ porridge.
If your seeds are too wet, you’ll run into trouble. The water mixes with the oil during pressing and creates a murky emulsion, making it incredibly difficult to separate the pure oil. You end up with a mess, and a lot of that precious oil stays trapped. On the flip side, if your seeds are too dry, they become hard and can even burn from the friction inside the press, giving the oil an off-flavor and, you guessed it, a lower yield. Most nuts and seeds press best when their moisture content is below 7%.
The key is finding that perfect balance. Sometimes this means sun-drying your seeds, or even using a roasting machine to gently reduce the moisture before pressing. By roasting the oilseeds, the oil yield can be largely increased, and the oil yield of hot pressing is twice that of cold pressing. It’s an extra step, but it pays off.

Meet GQ-Agri Drum Roasting Machine!

In your pursuit of optimal oil yield, precise moisture and temperature control are critical. GQ-Agri Roasting Machine intelligently preheats oilseeds (peanuts, soybeans, rapeseed, etc.) to species-specific conditions – achieving ideal moisture levels of 5%-11% and temperatures up to 230°C. This reduces residual oil in cakes, enhances oil fluidity, and boosts yield by 3-6% while preserving natural flavors.

Why Cleaning and Screening Boosts Your Oil Output.

Here’s an analogy I like to use: you wouldn’t put dirty fuel in your car, right? So, why would you put uncleaned seeds into your oil press? It seems obvious, but many of us overlook just how much of an impact debris can have on our oil yield.
When you press a batch of seeds that still has sand, dirt, twigs, or other contaminants, those impurities act like tiny sponges. They soak up the valuable oil as it’s being extracted, trapping it in the waste cake. Also, hard materials like small stones can cause extra wear and tear on your machine’s screw, reducing its efficiency over time. Taking the time to clean and sift your raw materials first makes a huge difference. I remember helping a small operation in Germany that was struggling with their rapeseed oil yield. The problem? They were skipping the initial cleaning. Once they started using a simple sifting machine to remove stones and field debris, their yield jumped by nearly 5%.
And speaking of preparation, for some crops, it’s not just about what you remove, but also what you break open. Think about peanuts. Their shells contain almost no oil. Pressing them whole means your machine is wasting energy on useless material. That’s where a shelling machine becomes essential. By removing the husks before pressing, you’re only processing the oil-rich kernels, which dramatically increases the oil concentration of your batch and leads to a much better yield. A little bit of prep work upfront goes a long way.

Statistical Table of Oil Yield of Common Crops.

You’re probably wondering what a “good” oil yield even looks like for different crops. It’s a fair question. The numbers can vary quite a bit based on all the factors we’ve discussed, but it helps to have a general baseline. We’ve put together a simple chart to give you an idea of what to expect from some common raw materials.

Material Type	Crop Name	Typical Oil Yield (%)
Nuts	Almond	50-60%
	Brazil Nut	60-70%
	Coconut	65-70%
	Macadamia Nut	65-80%
	Peanut	40-50%
	Pine Nut	50-70%
	Shea Nut	45-50%
	Walnut	45-60%
Oilseeds	Black Seed (Nigella)	30-35%
	Castor Seed	35-58%
	Cottonseed	15-25%
	Flaxseed	34-40%
	Mustard Seed	25-35%
	Pumpkin Seed	46%
	Rapeseed (Canola)	35-45%
	Safflower Seed	32-45%
	Sesame Seed	45-55%
	Soybean	13-18%
	Sunflower Seed	30-45%
	Tung Seed	30-37%
Fruits	Avocado	15-22%
	Olive	15-22%
	Palm Fruit	20-22%
Grains / By-products	Corn Germ	25-35%
Grains / By-products	Rice Bran	9-15%
Herbs & Spices	Basil	0.5-1%

Keep in mind these are just averages. With proper preparation and an efficient pressing process, you can often push your oil yield to the higher end of these ranges, or sometimes even beyond them. This table should give you a good benchmark to aim for.

Have questions about starting a cold pressed oil business?

Our team will help you choose the right oil press model and start making a profit.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when pressing oil?

The most common mistake is poor seed preparation, especially moisture control. Seeds that are too wet create an emulsion and trap oil, while seeds that are too dry can burn and also yield less. Getting the moisture content right is the first step to a good press.

Is hot pressing or cold pressing better for oil yield?

Hot pressing almost always produces a higher oil yield. The heat breaks down cell walls, allowing more oil to be released. However, cold pressing produces a more natural, unrefined oil, so the choice depends on whether you prioritize quantity or a specific quality.

Secrets to a Better Nuts and Oilseeds Oil Yield