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Castor Oil

Moderate. Castor (Ricinus communis) is drought-tolerant but optimal yields require monsoon moisture. El Nino weakens the Indian monsoon, potentially reducing Gujarat/Rajasthan production.

Current Price

$1,350

per MT

+3.1% (30d)

Projected

$1,300 - $1,500 within 3 months

Growing Regions

Click a region for details. Circles colored by risk level, sized by production significance.

Origin Comparison

Origin	Production	Quality Notes	Price Range	Key Advantage
India (Gujarat) OUR ORIGIN	1,200,000 MT seeds/yr	Global benchmark quality, full product range	$1,200 - $1,500/MT oil	85-90% of global exports, most reliable supply
India (Rajasthan)	400,000 MT seeds/yr	Good quality, expanding production	$1,200 - $1,450/MT oil	Growing capacity, competitive

Seasonal Calendar

Good time to buy Neutral Peak prices / low supply

Jan

buy

Harvest winding down, processing

Feb

buy

New oil at market, abundant

Mar

buy

Export season, best availability

Apr

buy

Good supply continues

May

neutral

Stocks adequate, pre-planting

Jun

neutral

Planting with monsoon onset

Jul

neutral

Growing season (monsoon)

Aug

neutral

Growing season continues

Sep

neutral

Pre-harvest, stocks thinning

Oct

neutral

Early harvest begins

Nov

buy

Harvest expanding

Dec

buy

Peak harvest, processing ramps

Price Drivers

India controls 85-90% of global castor oil exports (near-monopoly)

Indian monsoon rainfall is the primary production driver

Industrial demand from lubricants, coatings, and bioplastics growing

Cosmetics/personal care demand for cold-pressed castor oil

NCDEX futures trading provides price transparency

Government policies (MSP, export taxes) can shift supply/demand balance

Limited alternative sources create supply concentration risk

Supply Outlook

India's dominance in castor oil (85-90% of global exports) creates a concentrated supply chain. The 2025/26 Gujarat crop benefited from adequate monsoon rainfall, and production is tracking near normal levels.

Industrial demand continues to grow, particularly from the bioplastics, coatings, and lubricant sectors. The cosmetics industry is also driving increased demand for cold-pressed, organic castor oil at premium prices.

The main risk is India's near-monopoly. Any production disruption (drought, pest outbreak, policy changes) has an immediate global impact with no alternative supplier able to fill the gap. We recommend buyers maintain 2-3 months of safety stock and consider forward contracts during the post-harvest window (February-April).

Best Time to Buy

February-April when new-harvest oil is abundant and Gujarat crushers are running at full capacity. Prices are typically 10-15% lower than the September-November trough period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grades of castor oil do you supply?

We supply commercial grade (for industrial use), first special grade (FSG, for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals), cold-pressed (for premium cosmetics), and hydrogenated castor oil (castor wax). Commercial grade is the most traded at $1,200-1,500/MT. Cold-pressed and FSG command premiums of $200-500/MT over commercial grade.

Why is India so dominant in castor oil production?

India's dominance comes from Gujarat's ideal growing conditions (semi-arid climate, suitable soils), decades of variety development for high oil content (48-55%), established crushing infrastructure, and a large farming base familiar with the crop. No other country has replicated this combination at scale. Brazil and China produce castor but primarily for domestic use.

What are the main industrial uses of castor oil?

Castor oil's unique ricinoleic acid (85-90% of fatty acid composition) makes it valuable for: sebacic acid production (nylon, plasticizers), hydrogenated castor oil (cosmetics, coatings), dehydrated castor oil (paints, varnishes), sulfonated castor oil (textile processing), and polyurethane production. The bioplastics sector is the fastest-growing end use.

We Supply Castor Oil

Get a Competitive Quote

Origin Direct sources castor oil directly from producers in our network. We handle logistics, quality control, and documentation from origin to your warehouse.

Direct from verified producers
Full traceability and documentation
Quality inspection before shipment
CIF/FOB delivery worldwide

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