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Direct from India

Castor Oil

From India, which controls 85-90% of global castor oil exports. Industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical grades with 30-45% procurement margins.

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Overview

Castor oil is one of the most strategically important industrial commodities, with India controlling 85-90% of global exports. The oil's unique ricinoleic acid content (85-90%) gives it properties that cannot be replicated by any other vegetable oil — high viscosity stability across extreme temperatures, excellent lubricity, and unique chemical reactivity that makes it the feedstock for nylon-11 bioplastic.

Gujarat state dominates Indian production, with over 200 crushing units processing approximately 1.8 million metric tons of castor seed annually. The global castor oil market exceeds $1.5 billion, serving lubricant manufacturers, cosmetic and personal care brands, pharmaceutical companies, paint and coating producers, and the growing bioplastics sector.

Origin Direct's India team works directly with crushers and refiners across Gujarat's castor belt, offering BSS (commercial), FSG (cosmetic), and pharmaceutical-grade castor oil at $1,200-1,500/MT FOB Kandla/Mundra. Our direct sourcing eliminates trading intermediaries, delivering margins of 30-45% for established buyers.

Key Specifications

Parameter Specification
Ricinoleic Acid85 – 90%
Acid Value< 2.0 (BSS), < 1.0 (FSG)
Hydroxyl Value160 – 168
Iodine Value82 – 90
Moisture< 0.5%
GradesBSS, FSG, Pale Pressed, Hydrogenated, 12-HSA
Price Range$1,200 – $1,500/MT FOB
HS Code1515.30

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does India dominate castor oil exports?
India controls 85-90% of global castor oil exports, producing approximately 1.8 million metric tons of castor seed annually. Gujarat state alone accounts for 80% of Indian production. India's dominance stems from ideal growing conditions in semi-arid Gujarat and Rajasthan, established crushing infrastructure (over 200 crushing units), and decades of supply chain development. This near-monopoly means castor oil buyers worldwide are effectively dependent on Indian supply.
What are the main industrial applications of castor oil?
Castor oil's unique ricinoleic acid content (85-90%) gives it properties no other vegetable oil can match. Key applications: industrial lubricants (high viscosity index, works at extreme temperatures), cosmetics and personal care (hair oil, skin moisturizer — the 'Jamaican black castor oil' trend), pharmaceuticals (laxatives, drug delivery systems), coatings and paints, nylon-11 production (bioplastic), and biodiesel. The global castor oil market exceeds $1.5 billion annually.
What castor oil grades and pricing are available?
We supply: Commercial/BSS Grade (Bright Bleached Surface, standard industrial grade, $1,200-1,500/MT FOB), FSG Grade (First Special Grade, cosmetic/pharmaceutical use), Pale Pressed Grade (highest purity, pharmaceutical), Hydrogenated Castor Oil (solid flakes, for cosmetics), and 12-HSA (12-Hydroxystearic acid, specialty derivative). Margins of 30-45% are typical between farmgate castor seed and processed oil pricing.

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