Market research

Castor seeds market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's castor seed market volume expanded gradually from 6 406 t in 2018 to 6 593 t in 2023, reflecting an overall growth of nearly 3% over the six-year period. The market showed consistent annual increases through 2021, driven by stable domestic production.

After reaching a peak of 6 681 t in 2021, the market experienced a minor contraction of 1.9% in 2022 before stabilizing and recovering to 6 593 t in 2023. Production trends closely mirrored market volume, indicating a largely self-sufficient supply chain with minimal trade impact.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production castor seeds in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked ninth globally in castor seed production.

Top producers of castor seeds, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of castor seeds, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

South Africa's castor seed production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 6 682 tonnes of castor seeds, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 2.4%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.9%	0.9%	2.4%	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports castor seeds from South Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 332 kg, then surged to 1 844 kg in 2021, representing a dramatic increase of 454.7% compared to the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2020 was 5.5-fold, with the largest decline of 75.9% occurring in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.0%	(75.9%)	454.7%	15.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Angola, Eswatini, and Zambia were the top buyers of castor seeds from South Africa, accounting for 48.2%, 29.8%, and 14.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 92.1% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

The market showed considerable volatility over these years. Export values fluctuated widely, with a 34-fold difference between the high of $17 174 in 2019 and the low of $499 in 2020. In 2021, exported castor seeds from South Africa amounted to $9 265, a sharp rise of 1 757.7% from 2020. The largest decline of 97.1% was recorded in 2020.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	136.3%	(97.1%)	1 757.7%	8.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Angola and the United States led the list of markets for castor seed exports in value terms, jointly representing 91.3% of total flows, while other partners played a minor role.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports castor seeds to South Africa

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, South Africa imported 5 kg of castor seeds, a decrease of 97.9% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	(97.9%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the period from 2018 to 2021, India was the dominant and nearly exclusive source for castor seed imports to South Africa in kind, holding a share of 97.9%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, South Africa's castor seed imports totaled $170, reflecting a decline of 61.0% compared to 2019.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	(61.0%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, India and the United States were the key players in castor seed imports to South Africa in value terms, together accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io