2026 Shea Butter Production Line Price Guide: From Startup to Fully Automated Factory

With the growing global demand for natural cosmetics and organic foods, investing in a shea butter production line has become a high-return project. However, for most business owners, the core question remains: "What will the actual price of a shea butter production line be in 2026?"

Cost of a small shea butter processing plant

For entrepreneurs or small businesses looking to enter the edible oil industry, a small shea butter processing plant is a good option. The investment required to build such a plant typically ranges from $13,000 to $40,000 , depending on equipment configuration and daily production capacity.

Key equipment investment :

• Shea butter oil presses : Small oil presses generally range in price from $5,000 to $15,000 , depending on capacity. These machines are suitable for low to medium production levels and are ideal for small businesses.

• Pre-processing systems : These include washing, crushing, and baking equipment, and typically cost between $2,000 and $8,000 .

• Refining System : A basic refining system used to remove impurities from shea butter, typically priced between $3,000 and $10,000 , depending on the complexity of the system.

Factors to consider :

• Energy efficiency : Make sure to choose small, energy-efficient equipment, as energy savings can significantly reduce operating costs.

• Durability : Choose equipment made from durable, high-quality materials to ensure long-term operation and reduce maintenance costs.

Price of fully automatic shea butter production line

For large-scale industrial production, fully automated shea butter production lines are key to improving efficiency, reducing labor costs, and increasing Oil Extraction rates. Specific prices depend on production capacity.

Key features :

• Automated cleaning and crushing systems : These systems ensure consistent and high-quality raw material processing, reduce waste, and maximize oil extraction.

• Roasting and pressing system : The fully automated roasting and pressing system ensures higher oil extraction rates and consistent product quality.

• Refining System : Advanced refining units, including degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization, ensure that the final product meets high-quality standards.

• Energy efficiency optimization : Modern fully automated production line designs emphasize energy efficiency , saving 15-20% more energy than traditional systems, making them very suitable for large-scale production.

• Pre-treatment section: includes a rolling mill (which rolls the material into 0.3-0.5mm thin sheets) or an extruder, which thoroughly destroys the cell structure and creates conditions for efficient oil extraction.

• Continuous pressing system: It adopts a screw oil press , which is suitable for large-scale continuous operation and has high oil extraction efficiency.

• PLC intelligent control: Fully automatic monitoring of moisture and temperature, greatly reducing labor costs.

Advantages :

• High oil extraction rate : The automated system ensures maximum oil extraction, with an extraction rate of up to 95% , and ensures excellent oil quality.

• Labor savings : Automation significantly reduces labor costs and is ideal for large-scale operations.

• Consistent product quality : The fully automated production process helps ensure consistent oil quality that meets export standards.

Cost comparison between traditional shea butter extraction methods and mechanical extraction methods

Comparing traditional manual methods with modern mechanical extraction methods is crucial for companies looking to scale up production.

Traditional methods (manual extraction) :

• Extraction efficiency : Traditional manual extraction methods typically yield only about 50-60% of the oil from shea butter seeds. These methods are labor-intensive and inefficient.

• Labor costs : Traditional methods require a large amount of manual operation, resulting in high operating costs.

• Product quality : Due to limited control over the extraction process, the final oil quality may be unstable.

Mechanized extraction (modern methods) :

• Extraction efficiency : Modern mechanized extraction methods can achieve an oil extraction rate of **95%**, which greatly improves efficiency.

• Automation : Reduces reliance on manual labor, lowers labor costs, and enhances the consistency of oil extraction.

• Energy efficiency : Mechanized methods are 30% more energy efficient than traditional methods, making them more cost-effective in the long run.

By switching to mechanized extraction methods, companies can increase oil extraction rates, reduce costs, and improve product quality, thereby achieving long-term profitability.

What factors contribute to the price differences in shea butter processing lines?

The prices differ because the engineering design schemes vary. Before comparing prices, please compare the underlying technical specifications:

• Pre-treatment workshop: paving the way for oil extraction. Includes cleaning, crushing, softening, and billet rolling.

• Leaching Unit (Optional): For large plants, the pressed cake can be fed into the leaching system. Hexane solvent extraction is used to reduce the total residual oil content to below 1% , maximizing oil extraction.

• Refining Plant: If your target market is the food industry, you will need a refining line. This includes degumming, deacidification (physical or chemical methods), decolorization, and deodorization to remove free fatty acids (FFA) and off-odors.

Key factors :

• Production capacity : The greater the production capacity (tonnes processed per day), the higher the price. Industrialized production lines capable of processing more than 20 tons of shea butter are typically more expensive.

• Automation level : Fully automated production lines with advanced functions such as automated control systems and automated refining are more expensive.

• Energy efficiency : Although production lines that optimize energy use require a higher initial investment, they can bring long-term savings on energy bills.

• Customization requirements : Customized production lines that meet specific needs (such as special refining processes) will increase additional costs.

Price differences between different manufacturers :

Different manufacturers will offer different quotes based on their technology, after-sales service, and the quality of the materials used. The QIE GROUP will adjust the production line machinery according to the customer's price and provide the most suitable solution.

Global turnkey project success story: QIE GROUP's shea butter project

QIE GROUP has successfully installed turnkey shea butter processing plants in several major shea butter producing regions, including Africa , Southeast Asia , and Central Asia . Our clients have achieved significant results, including higher oil extraction rates, reduced energy consumption, and consistent product quality.

Successful project case studies :

• Ghana : We have installed a fully automated shea butter oil extraction line in Ghana, which now processes 50 tons of shea butter per day, achieving a high oil extraction rate.

• Nigeria : A small to medium-sized production line has been installed in Nigeria, which can now meet the needs of the local market and comply with export standards.

• Botswana : The fully automated production line we installed in Uganda has helped local businesses improve production efficiency and profitability.

Questions about shea butter processing production lines

Do you need a customized quote for your shea butter project?

Contact our engineers now for a free layout design and quote!