Key facts
- India exported US$855 million of castor oil in FY2024-25 (chemexcil.in).
- Largest destinations by value: China (largest; share varies 25-50% by source, tier 7)
- 4 production clusters mapped, in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Karnataka, Gujarat (>75-80% of crop); Rajasthan; AP.
- Market guides for 15 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, Halal certificate, Kosher certificate, India Organic (NPOP), EU REACH compliance.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' flexitank (~20 MT) for oil; 5-10 MT for derivatives (typical).
Product overview
Gujarat grows roughly four-fifths of India's castor seed (Banaskantha, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Kutch), and India dominates world castor oil trade. CHEMEXCIL reports about US$855 mn for April-December FY2024-25; one industry filing puts the full year near US$1 bn. China is the largest buyer.
Castor oil is non-edible and industrial. Its ricinoleic acid makes it a feedstock for lubricants and greases (via HCO and 12-HSA), polyamide 11 and sebacic acid, polyurethanes, coatings, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Grades are traded on well-known specifications: First Special Grade (FSG), commercial/BSS, pale pressed, and refined USP/BP. Bulk moves by flexitank, ISO tank or parcel tanker from Kandla and Mundra.
HS note: Hydrogenated castor oil is 1516.20; 12-HSA is classed under 3823.19 or 2918.19 depending on purity; sebacic acid 2917.13. Confirm per derivative.
Specifications
| Acid value (FSG) | ≤ 2.0 mg KOH/g (typical) |
|---|---|
| Moisture & volatiles | ≤ 0.25% (typical) |
| Hydroxyl value | 160-168 (typical) |
| Iodine value | 82-90 (typical) |
| Saponification value | 176-187 (typical) |
| Colour | Gardner ≤ 3 for FSG; lighter for pale pressed (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
First Special Grade (FSG)
Industry benchmark grade for chemical uses.
Commercial / BSS grade
Lower-spec industrial grade.
Pale Pressed / refined
Light colour for coatings and cosmetics.
Pharma grade (USP/BP/IP)
Refined for pharmaceutical and personal-care use.
Derivatives
Hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) flakes, 12-HSA, ricinoleic acid, blown and dehydrated castor oil.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk liquid | Flexitank 20-22 MT; ISO tank; parcel tanker | — |
| Drums | 200 L HDPE/MS drums (~190 kg) | — |
| Derivatives | 25 kg bags of HCO/12-HSA flakes on pallets | — |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP Flexitank ~20-22 MT; drums 80 x ~190 kg ≈ 15 MT · 40' HC Not normally used (20' preferred for weight). Non-hazardous; flexitank needs a suitable 20' box
Customisation: Retail cold-pressed packs (cosmetic/hair), custom derivatives via partner plants
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Gujarat
Banaskantha, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Kutch
Seed belt; crushing and refining around Kadi, Deesa, Kandla
Rajasthan
Jalore, Barmer
ASSUMPTION - secondary seed area
Market requirements by region
European Union
Netherlands, France and Germany buy FSG and derivatives for oleochemicals and polyamide 11; REACH applies to derivatives (chemically modified substances).
United States & Canada
US buyers take refined and pharma grades, plus derivatives for coatings and lubricants. US duty on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026 (per our compliance research, secondary legal analysis): MFN rate plus a 10% Section 301 tariff in force since 24 Jul 2026; Section 232 goods (steel, aluminium, copper, autos/parts) pay the 232 rate instead. Re-verify before quoting landed cost.
East Asia
China is the largest buyer of Indian castor oil (share varies 25-50% by secondary source); Japan buys refined grades.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Independent surveyor sampling at loading (SGS/Intertek)
- • CoA per lot per AOCS/ISO methods
- • Flexitank and container inspection before loading
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • EU REACH compliance
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading / airway bill
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • Weight and quality certificate by surveyor
- • Safety data sheet
- • Non-GMO declaration
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Castor oil | 854.5 | verified | chemexcil.in |
Top destinations: China (largest; share varies 25-50% by source, tier 7)
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is FSG castor oil?
First Special Grade: the benchmark industrial specification (low acid value and moisture, light colour) used in most contracts.
Is castor oil hazardous to ship?
No. Castor oil is not classified as dangerous goods. The toxic ricin stays in the seed meal, not the oil.
When is the new crop?
Castor is harvested in Gujarat from roughly January to April, so new-crop oil flows from early spring (ASSUMPTION - varies by season).
Can you supply cold-pressed castor oil for cosmetics?
Yes, cold-pressed and refined grades in drums or retail bottles.
What derivatives are available?
Hydrogenated castor oil, 12-hydroxystearic acid, ricinoleic acid, blown and dehydrated castor oil, and sebacic acid through partner plants.
Request a quote for Castor Oil & Derivatives (FSG, HCO, 12-HSA)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
