Castor oil and fractions market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for castor oil and fractions in South Africa declined from over 3 200 t in 2018 to around 2 900 t by 2023. This contraction was notably pronounced in 2019 and 2020, coinciding with the launch of local production initiatives aimed at reducing import dependency. In 2019, Lesedi Moseki's castor oil project began promoting contract grower agreements to commercialize domestic supply, which contributed to a drop in imports from 1 902 t to 1 678 t that year. While these efforts sought to bolster local industry, domestic production remained volatile, failing to fully offset the import reduction and leading to a smaller overall market.

By 2023, new players and technological advances entered the scene. Casterra Ag Ltd. sold proprietary castor seed varieties for cultivation in African territories, enhancing production capabilities for biofuels and derivatives. Simultaneously, entrepreneur Thabang Mabapa expanded local castor oil and biodiesel operations with external funding. These developments aimed to increase domestic output and diversify the product mix, highlighted by hydrogenated castor oil holding a 34.15% revenue share in the derivatives segment. Nonetheless, the total market volume continued a gentle downward trend to 2 888 t, reflecting a transitional phase toward greater self-sufficiency.

Looking ahead to 2024‑2025, regulatory shifts in the energy sector began shaping the market environment. The enactment of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (UPRDA) and the establishment of the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) in 2025 created a policy framework that could support biofuel development, including castor oil derivatives. Concurrently, rising consumer preference for organic, cold‑pressed, and hexane‑free castor oil products stimulated demand for premium segments. Companies like Casterra secured additional purchase orders to expand across Africa, signaling potential for future production growth as local extraction plant proposals emerged to meet domestic needs.

Production castor oil and fractions in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of castor oil and fractions.

Top producers of castor oil and fractions, 2018-2021

World map of production of castor oil and fractions, 2018-2021

In 2021, South Africa produced 1 349 tonnes of castor oil and fractions, marking a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 4.1%, averaging an annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 321 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 6.1% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2020 at 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports castor oil and fractions from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's exports of castor oil and fractions grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 44 tonnes, up 9.4% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 61.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia were the top destinations for South Africa's castor oil and fractions exports by volume. Botswana accounted for 41.4% of exports, Zimbabwe for 13.5%, and Namibia for 10.8%. Together, these three countries made up 65.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

South Africa's export value of castor oil and fractions rose for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 142 thousand US dollars, a 35.9% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 57.1%, averaging an annual rise of 16.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 79 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 13.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe were the leading markets for South Africa's castor oil and fractions exports by value. Botswana represented 33.6% of export value, Lesotho 13.1%, and Zimbabwe 10.8%. Combined, these three countries contributed 57.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports castor oil and fractions to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, South Africa's imports of castor oil and fractions rebounded in 2021. Imports reached 1 653 tonnes, up 11.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 13.1%, with a compound annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 1 489 tonnes, and the largest drop occurred in 2019 with an 11.8% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, the import market for castor oil and fractions in South Africa was highly concentrated, with India alone supplying 98.0% of total imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa imported approximately 2 994 thousand US dollars worth of castor oil and fractions, a sharp 38.9% increase from 2020. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 2 155 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 2 998 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a 28.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the import market for castor oil and fractions in South Africa was highly concentrated, with India accounting for 96.0% of total imports by value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021