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Pharma & chemicals

Export castor oil

India supplies most of the world’s castor oil. China is the biggest buyer; Europe, the USA and Japan follow.

Free to exportHS 1515.30
HS code
1515.30
Castor oil and its fractions, not chemically modified: edible grade (1515 30 10) and other (1515 30 90). Hydrogenated castor oil and derivatives fall in other headings.
Export policy
Free to export
Export is Free under ITC(HS); we found no recent restriction. Confirm current status on dgft.gov.in.
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 1.06 bn
to 92 countries

What is exported

Castor oil exports were about US$ 1.06 billion in 2025-26 (TradeStat). China took nearly half, followed by the Netherlands, the USA, France, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and Italy. The oil is an industrial raw material for lubricants, polymers (nylon 11), coatings, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals; Gujarat grows most of India’s castor seed.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • First Special Grade (FSG)The main industrial export grade.
  • Commercial and BSS gradesGrades with different colour and acid value limits for chemical users.
  • Pale pressed and pharma grades (IP/BP/USP)For cosmetics and medicines; higher prices, tighter tests.

Where it is grown or made

  • GujaratMehsana, Banaskantha, Patan, Kutch and Sabarkantha grow most castor seed; crushing around Kadi, Ahmedabad and Kandla.
  • RajasthanJalore, Barmer, Sirohi.

Season

Castor seed arrives from about January to April; oil is crushed and shipped all year.

Export packing

  • Flexitanks in 20-ft containers (typically about 20–22 tonnes), ISO tanks, bulk parcels in chemical tankers, or 200-litre drums for small lots.

Who buys abroad

  • Castor derivative and oleochemical makers (sebacic acid, nylon 11)
  • Lubricant, coating and ink makers
  • Cosmetic and pharma ingredient distributors

The quality buyers ask for

Grade
FSG, commercial, BSS, pale pressed or pharma (IP/BP/USP)
Key tests
Acid value, moisture and impurities, colour (Gardner or Lovibond), iodine and hydroxyl values, ricinoleic acid content

Certificates

  • CHEMEXCIL RCMCRequiredRegistration with the council covering castor oil.
  • REACH (EU)Often askedEU registration for industrial castor oil through the importer or an Only Representative.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality-management certification many industrial buyers expect from suppliers.
  • KosherOften askedAsked for by some US buyers and ingredient buyers supplying kosher brands.
  • HalalOften askedAsked for by many Gulf, Malaysian and Indonesian buyers of processed foods; use a body the destination recognises.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Flexitanks in 20-ft containers typically take about 20–22 tonnes; drums typically about 16–18 tonnes per 20-ft.

How it travels

Sea freight from Kandla and Mundra; bulk parcels in chemical tankers for large buyers.

Storage

Clean, dry steel tanks or sealed drums, away from heat.

Shelf life

Typically one to two years in sealed containers.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Drums and tanks: product name and grade, batch number, net and gross weight, manufacturing date, hazard labels where the safety data sheet requires them, and "Made in India".
Where to get it tested

Search the NABL directory (nabl-india.org) for a laboratory accredited for the exact tests in your contract, or use an independent inspection agency the buyer names; keep the certificate of analysis with each batch number.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • CHEMEXCILRCMC from the Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export Promotion Council, which covers castor oil and its derivatives under DGFT Appendix 2T.chemexcil.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Grade by trade standard: First Special Grade (FSG), commercial grade or BSS grade, and pharma grades to IP/BP/USP. Buyers test acid value, moisture, colour, iodine and hydroxyl value.
  • EU buyers need REACH registration through their importer or an Only Representative for castor oil used industrially.
  • Clean, dry tanks or flexitanks; previous-cargo records are checked for food and pharma grades.
How to start small

Buy FSG castor oil from a Gujarat crusher, ship one or two flexitank containers from Mundra or Kandla to a trader in Europe or Asia, with an independent quality certificate at loading. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); registrations required by a law still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Price swings with the castor seed crop; avoid long fixed-price contracts without hedging through a known buyer.
  • Acid value rising in old stock — ship fresh oil and test close to loading.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. Department of Commerce — TradeStat, India’s exports by commodity and country (2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T, export promotion councils, boards and the products they cover (as on 6 Feb 2023)
  3. CHEMEXCIL — export promotion council for castor oil and its derivatives
  4. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  5. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian castor oil exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 1.06 bn
+4.5% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -0.2%
US$ 1.06 bn → US$ 1.06 bn
Buyer countries
92
Average export price
US$ 1.55
per kg · 6,80,545 tonnes shipped · US$ 1.53 the year before
China: US$ 516 mnNetherlands: US$ 126 mnUnited States of America: US$ 90.8 mnFrance: US$ 65.8 mnThailand: US$ 29.7 mnSingapore: US$ 29.5 mnJapan: US$ 22.2 mnItaly: US$ 17.5 mnSouth Korea: US$ 16.6 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 16.2 mnTürkiye: US$ 15.3 mnRussia: US$ 14.5 mnBrazil: US$ 12.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 9.6 mnBelgium: US$ 9.2 mnSpain: US$ 7.9 mnMexico: US$ 7.4 mnEgypt: US$ 7.1 mnGermany: US$ 6.5 mnMalaysia: US$ 5.8 mnSouth Africa: US$ 5.3 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 2.6 mnAustralia: US$ 2.3 mnTaiwan: US$ 2.1 mnIndonesia: US$ 2.1 mnChina: US$ 516 mnChinaNetherlands: US$ 126 mnNetherlandsUnited States of America: US$ 90.8 mnUnited States of AmericaFrance: US$ 65.8 mnThailand: US$ 29.7 mnThailandSingapore: US$ 29.5 mnSingaporeJapan: US$ 22.2 mnItaly: US$ 17.5 mnItalySouth Korea: US$ 16.6 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 16.2 mnTürkiye: US$ 15.3 mnRussia: US$ 14.5 mnBrazil: US$ 12.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 9.6 mnBelgium: US$ 9.2 mnSpain: US$ 7.9 mnMexico: US$ 7.4 mnEgypt: US$ 7.1 mnGermany: US$ 6.5 mnMalaysia: US$ 5.8 mnSouth Africa: US$ 5.3 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 2.6 mnAustralia: US$ 2.3 mnTaiwan: US$ 2.1 mnIndonesia: US$ 2.1 mnIndia
Where Indian castor oil goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 848 mn8482020-212021-22: US$ 1.08 bn1.1k2021-222022-23: US$ 1.13 bn1.1k2022-232023-24: US$ 991 mn9912023-242024-25: US$ 1.06 bn1.1k2024-252025-26: US$ 1.06 bn1.1k2025-26
India’s castor oil exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2020-21 — a 52% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 1.23 per kg1.232021-22: US$ 1.63 per kg2022-23: US$ 1.87 per kg1.872024-25: US$ 1.53 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.55 per kg1.552020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian castor oil · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 848 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 1.08 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 1.13 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 991 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 1.06 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 1.06 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 1.12 bn (US$ 978 mn – US$ 1.29 bn)1.1k2026-272027-28: US$ 1.15 bn (US$ 988 mn – US$ 1.34 bn)1.2k2027-28
India’s castor oil exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 1.15 bn

Likely range US$ 988 mn to US$ 1.34 bn.

Trend
+2.6% a year
Fit (R²)
0.23 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1ChinaUS$ 516 mn+1.4%
2NetherlandsUS$ 126 mn+11%
3United States of AmericaUS$ 90.8 mn-13.5%
4FranceUS$ 65.8 mn-21.1%
5ThailandUS$ 29.7 mn-3.1%
6SingaporeUS$ 29.5 mn+41.5%
7JapanUS$ 22.2 mn-17%
8ItalyUS$ 17.5 mn+9.9%
9South KoreaUS$ 16.6 mn+3.2%
10United KingdomUS$ 16.2 mn+18%
11TürkiyeUS$ 15.3 mn+23.4%
12RussiaUS$ 14.5 mn-20.6%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. BrazilUS$ 4.7 mn → US$ 12.8 mn+173.6%
  2. SingaporeUS$ 20.9 mn → US$ 29.5 mn+41.5%
  3. TürkiyeUS$ 12.4 mn → US$ 15.3 mn+23.4%
  4. United KingdomUS$ 13.8 mn → US$ 16.2 mn+18%
  5. NetherlandsUS$ 113 mn → US$ 126 mn+11%

Low demand

  1. BelgiumUS$ 15.1 mn → US$ 9.2 mn-39.1%
  2. FranceUS$ 83.4 mn → US$ 65.8 mn-21.1%
  3. RussiaUS$ 18.3 mn → US$ 14.5 mn-20.6%
  4. JapanUS$ 26.8 mn → US$ 22.2 mn-17%
  5. United States of AmericaUS$ 105 mn → US$ 90.8 mn-13.5%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Castor oilandits frctns other thn edble grade1515 30 90 · Vegetable oils, castor oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedUS$ 1.06 bn-0.2%6,80,426 tonnesUS$ 1.55 per kgwas US$ 1.53
Castor oil and its frctns of edble grade1515 30 10 · Vegetable oils, castor oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedUS$ 370k-2.6%119 tonnesUS$ 3.11 per kgwas US$ 2.85

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 1.17 bn
2023
India among exporters
#1
of 84 countries
India’s share of world exports
86.2%
US$ 1.01 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 162 mn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1IndiaUS$ 1.01 bn 86.2%
  2. 2NetherlandsUS$ 47.3 mn 4%
  3. 3FranceUS$ 30.1 mn 2.6%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 26.2 mn 2.2%
  5. 5USAUS$ 16.9 mn 1.4%
  6. 6BrazilUS$ 9.4 mn 0.8%
  7. 7KenyaUS$ 5.8 mn 0.5%
  8. 8BelgiumUS$ 5.1 mn 0.4%
  9. 9CanadaUS$ 4.5 mn 0.4%
  10. 10ThailandUS$ 3.3 mn 0.3%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 507 mn 43.5%
  2. 2USAUS$ 114 mn 9.7%
  3. 3GermanyUS$ 105 mn 9%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 101 mn 8.7%
  5. 5NetherlandsUS$ 54.8 mn 4.7%
  6. 6ItalyUS$ 37.8 mn 3.2%
  7. 7JapanUS$ 28.3 mn 2.4%
  8. 8ThailandUS$ 27.1 mn 2.3%
  9. 9Rep. of KoreaUS$ 19 mn 1.6%
  10. 10CanadaUS$ 16.2 mn 1.4%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

ItalyUS$ 38.8 mnIndia 34.2% · gap US$ 25.5 mn
GermanyUS$ 104 mnIndia 86.4% · gap US$ 14.1 mn
SpainUS$ 21.4 mnIndia 40.1% · gap US$ 12.8 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 54.7 mnIndia 85.2% · gap US$ 8.1 mn
FranceUS$ 90.8 mnIndia 94.8% · gap US$ 4.7 mn
United States of AmericaUS$ 123 mnIndia 96.6% · gap US$ 4.2 mn
IranUS$ 6.9 mnIndia 63.9% · gap US$ 2.5 mn
VietnamUS$ 4.3 mnIndia 51.6% · gap US$ 2.1 mn
ChinaUS$ 528 mnIndia 99.6% · gap US$ 2 mn
CanadaUS$ 14 mnIndia 86% · gap US$ 2 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export castor oil

India grows most of the world’s castor seed — mostly in Gujarat — and supplies most internationally traded castor oil; China, Brazil and Mozambique are small competitors. Castor oil is an industrial raw material, so demand follows the chemical, polymer, lubricant and cosmetic industries in China, Europe, the USA and Japan. Openings: derivatives and pharma or cosmetic grades with higher margins, and sustainable-sourcing programmes demanded by European buyers.

  1. 01Register

    Get your IEC and CHEMEXCIL RCMC; prepare a safety data sheet and specification sheet.

  2. 02Source from a crusher

    Buy the grade you sell from a Gujarat crusher or refiner with consistent analysis.

  3. 03Test near loading

    Test acid value, moisture and colour close to shipment; acid value rises with age.

  4. 04Fill flexitanks or drums

    Use clean, approved flexitanks; record filling temperature and seal numbers.

  5. 05Agree specification, price and payment

    Put grade, tests, packing, Incoterm (FOB or CIF), shipment period and payment (advance, LC or documents against payment) in a written contract. Cover the buyer with ECGC if you give credit.

  6. 06File the shipping bill and ship

    Your customs broker files the shipping bill on ICEGATE with the invoice and packing list. After customs clearance the line issues the bill of lading; get the certificate of origin from the right agency if the buyer needs a trade-agreement rate.

  7. 07Get paid and close the file

    Send original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). When the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting castor oil

Which council registers castor oil exporters?
CHEMEXCIL — castor oil and its derivatives are in its list under DGFT Appendix 2T.
What is FSG?
First Special Grade, the most common industrial export grade of castor oil.
Who buys Indian castor oil?
China takes nearly half; the Netherlands, the USA, France, Thailand, Singapore and Japan follow (TradeStat, 2025-26).
Do I need REACH for Europe?
For industrial uses in the EU, yes — usually handled by the EU importer or an Only Representative.
What RoDTEP does castor oil get?
0.9% of FOB (Appendix 4R), continued to 31 Dec 2026.
Sources (4)
  1. Department of Commerce — TradeStat, India’s exports by commodity and country (2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T, export promotion councils, boards and the products they cover (as on 6 Feb 2023)
  3. CHEMEXCIL — export promotion council for castor oil and its derivatives
  4. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)

Who buys Indian castor oil

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