Castor oil imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $4.2 million of castor oil in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). Value rose 32% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4.2M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $3.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2022 | $3.6M | 1.6K t |
| 2021 | $3.3M | 1.7K t |
| 2020 | $2.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2019 | $3.2M | 1.7K t |
| 2018 | $3.5M | 2.1K t |
| 2017 | $3.2M | 2.0K t |
Where South Africa imports castor oil from
India alone supplied 95% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $4.0M | 95% |
| Brazil | $175K | 4.2% |
| Germany | $19K | 0.5% |
| Spain | $4K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $3K | 0.1% |
| United States | $2K | 0% |
| Hong Kong | $1K | 0% |
| Pakistan | $1K | 0% |
| Canada | $1K | 0% |
| China | $1K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.95 per kg, close to the world average of $1.67.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa castor oil imports (HS 1515.30): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1515.30: Vegetable oils: castor oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
Common questions
What is the value of castor oil imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported castor oil worth $4.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 178 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 32% on 2023.
Which countries supply castor oil to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 95% of the value ($4.0 million), followed by Brazil (4%) and Germany (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 18 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 647% on the year.
What is the average import price of castor oil per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.95 per kg in 2024, 17% above the world average of $1.67 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of castor oil to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.2 million in 2017 to $4.2 million in 2024, an increase of 30%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $3.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for castor oil?
The HS code for castor oil is subheading 1515.30. It sits in HS chapter 15 (animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1515 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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