For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In USA, the Castor Oil Price Index fell by 2.81% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tighter seed supply and firmer offers.
• The average Castor Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 1637.67/MT, per CFR Houston assessments.
• Castor Oil Spot Price firmed as buyers replenished pipelines ahead of winter production cycles again.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast expects modest firmness into Q1 driven by limited uncommitted export volumes.
• Castor Oil Production Cost Trend increased as castor-seed procurement costs firmed, pressuring FOB values upward.
• Castor Oil Demand Outlook remained solid across lubricants, coatings and cosmetics, sustaining steady offtake levels.
• Castor Oil Price Index rose in December despite lower freight, driven by stronger origin premiums.
• Low U.S. tank inventories and Gulf port operations amplified prompt buying, supporting near-term price resilience.
Why did the price of Castor Oil change in December 2025 in North America?
• Higher castor-seed procurement costs in India pushed FOB offers up, offsetting lower container freight benefits.
• Low U.S. inventories and active replenishment prompted spot enquiries, tightening prompt supply and supporting prices.
• Exporters limited December allocations while Gulf ports operated normally, constraining available prompt cargoes for delivery.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Castor Oil Price Index fell by 1.48% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting net weakness.
• The average Castor Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 1551.00/MT for importers' landed-cost calculations.
• Castor Oil Spot Price remained range-bound during October and November, with December showing modest upward.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast suggests firmness as importers replenish lean inventories and exporters hold offers.
• Castor Oil Production Cost Trend reflected higher freight and weaker KRW, increasing landed import costs.
• Castor Oil Demand Outlook remains steady as lubricants, cosmetics and specialty chemical buyers maintain procurement.
• Castor Oil Price Index was tempered by October-November range-bound trading despite December import-driven upward pressure.
• Low inventories and Busan port efficiency encouraged prompt deliveries, sustaining short-term CFR stability for importers.
• Operational continuity at Indian crushers and routine shipping schedules limited volatility, underpinning measured importers' buying.
Why did the price of Castor Oil change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Stronger Indian offers and higher freight raised landed costs, prompting pass-through into South Korea prices.
• KRW depreciation versus USD marginally increased landed cost exposure for South Korean importers during December.
• Low on-hand inventories and steady downstream offtake compelled replenishment, sustaining upward pricing momentum into December.
Europe
• In France, the Castor Oil Price Index fell by 2.54% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tighter Indian offers.
• The average Castor Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 1614.33/MT, reported in CFR Marseille.
• Castor Oil Spot Price tracked firm Indian FOB offers, translating into tighter CFR Marseille procurement dynamics.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast indicates modest firmness as seasonal replenishment and constrained seed arrivals support CFR.
• Castor Oil Production Cost Trend reflected higher Indian FOB indications and processing energy expenses in France.
• Castor Oil Demand Outlook remained supportive from cosmetics, bio-polyamide and lubricant sectors, maintaining steady offtake.
• Inventory and export demand constrained physical availability, keeping the Castor Oil Price Index firm despite freight.
• Efficient Marseille port operations eased deliveries, while year-end buyer coverage and producer routines supported prices.
Why did the price of Castor Oil change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Tighter Indian export offers and reduced seed availability pushed FOB values higher, transmitting into CFR Marseille.
• Steady downstream demand from cosmetics and bio-polyamide chains prevented meaningful price relief despite adequate terminal stocks.
• Stable freight and unchanged euro-dollar exchange meant fundamentals, not logistics or currency, primarily drove December price increases.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In USA, the Castor Oil Price Index rose by 3.27% quarter-over-quarter, driven by modest export firmness and restocking.
• The average Castor Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 1685.00/MT, reflecting stable importer inventory positions.
• Castor Oil Spot Price softened in August, yet the Price Index remained supported by strategic restocking among importers.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast indicates mild firming into Q4 as procurement normalizes and exporters maintain disciplined offers.
• Castor Oil Production Cost Trend rose with higher seed prices and processing charges, pressuring exporter offers upward.
• Castor Oil Demand Outlook for personal care and industrial segments remains steady, underpinning the domestic Price Index stability.
• Persistent moderate inventories and stable logistics limited spikes in the Castor Oil Price Index during late-summer trading.
• Export offer adjustments and tariff developments influenced buyer patterns, reducing spot liquidity and delaying larger contractual commitments.
Why did the price of Castor Oil change in September 2025 in North America?
• Exporters raised offers due to higher seed and processing costs, transmitting cost pressure to prices.
• Tariff changes on Indian cargo reduced buyer urgency, curbing bulk purchases and lowering immediate demand.
• Downstream sectors maintained balanced inventories with steady consumption, limiting aggressive restocking and muting price rallies.
APAC
• In South Korea, Castor Oil Price Index fell 0.61% quarter-over-quarter, driven by softer export offers.
• The average Castor Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 1574.33/MT, reflecting balanced inventories.
• Castor Oil Spot Price softened in August as exporters trimmed offers, easing landed import costs.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast indicates mild firmness into autumn supported by restocking and stable logistics.
• Castor Oil Production Cost Trend rose on higher seed prices, transmitting pressure to export offers.
• Castor Oil Demand Outlook remains moderate as pharmaceutical and personal care sectors maintain procurement schedules.
• Castor Oil Price Index softened in September reflecting stocked inventories and cautious buyer activity broadly.
• Ports and inland logistics remained efficient, containing supply disruptions and supporting Castor Oil import flows.
Why did the price of Castor Oil change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Softened exporter offers amid weak global demand led to discounted quotations and reduced import prices.
• July restocking left downstream inventories adequate, curbing immediate procurement and exerting significant downward market pressure.
• Stable logistics and limited freight variations prevented cost escalation, keeping import supply chain functioning normally.
Europe
• In France, the Castor Oil Price Index rose by 1.30% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting domestic restocking demand.
• The average Castor Oil price for the quarter was approximately USD 1656.33/MT, reflecting CFR-Marseille dynamics.
• Castor Oil Spot Price softened in August after July bulk-procurement covered immediate downstream-production requirements scheduling.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast signals modest variability as procurement-and-inventory cycles influence market momentum in the near term.
• Castor Oil Production Cost Trend reflected upward-pressure from origin-seed costs and Asia-Europe freight impacts domestically.
• Castor Oil Demand Outlook remains diverse with personal-care, pharmaceutical, lubricant, and food-sectors supporting offtake domestically.
• Castor Oil Price Index moved with exporter-offer resets, currency swings, and replenishment-buying patterns affecting flows.
• Castor Oil Spot Price sensitivity continues as suppliers adjust offers to stimulate purchases by European-importers.
Why did the price of Castor Oil change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Robust restocking by downstream users tightened available offers despite steady logistic-operations and inbound supply conditions.
• Origin seed cost increases and exporter quote hikes transmitted upward-pressure to French CFR import pricing.
• Euro exchange rate appreciation and freight cost shifts modestly reduced landed prices and influenced purchasing timing.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Castor Oil Spot Price remained largely stable in June 2025 has recorded a minor uptick of 0.49%. Despite slightly firmer export offers, domestic market stability was driven by balanced inventory levels and restrained procurement across sectors like personal care and lubricants.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
Prices slightly declined in early July as inventory holding remained adequate and there was no fresh procurement urgency from end-users post Q2 closures. The Castor Oil Spot Price softened marginally due to subdued demand impulses and stable import flows.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast for Q3 2025 suggests a mildly bearish trend if current demand inertia persists. Buyers are expected to adopt lean procurement strategies due to ample Q2-end stocks.
• In May 2025, the Castor Oil Spot Price rose by 1.11%, tracking upstream pricing pressure from Indian exporters, who raised FOB rates following lower sowing data. Yet, Castor Oil Production Cost Trend within the US remained unaffected due to continued import reliance.
• April 2025 witnessed a price decline, driven by oversupply and sluggish industrial uptake in pharmaceuticals and lubricants. U.S. buyers slowed procurement, leading to a temporary inventory build-up.
• Downstream Castor Oil Demand Outlook stayed neutral in June. Manufacturers in food processing and coatings sectors maintained only routine procurement, avoiding speculative stockpiling.
• Despite higher Indian export prices, imported material availability remained smooth in Q2, supported by stable shipping and inland logistics across U.S. ports, particularly in Houston.
• Importers largely adopted a ‘just-in-time’ procurement model throughout Q2, minimizing inventory pressure and insulating the U.S. market from sharp price swings amid moderate global supply tightening.
• Castor Oil Price Index in June 2025: USD 1643/MT CFR Houston, marking a slight recovery from April lows but still within a narrow range, reflecting a market focused on operational balance rather than speculative buying.
Asia Pacific
• Castor Oil Spot Price in June 2025 remained flat with no month-on-month change. Importers proceeded with cautious, need-based procurement as the quarter closed.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
Castor Oil prices remained unchanged or slightly softened in July as Q2-end inventory levels were sufficient, and no new downstream demand drivers emerged. Spot Price trends remained subdued due to lack of fresh activity.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast into Q3 2025 suggests continued stability unless export-side tightening intensifies further. No disruptive procurement behaviour is expected from downstream sectors.
• May 2025 saw a 1.15% price rise, driven by upstream firming from India, where acreage was reduced and exporters increased FOB offers. South Korean buyers absorbed higher costs without skipping procurement.
• April 2025 marked the beginning of a price rebound after two months of softness, as Castor Oil Demand Outlook improved with gradual recovery across industrial lubricant and coating sectors.
• June’s pricing inertia reflected stable Castor Oil Production Cost Trend, where import prices didn’t significantly shift due to smooth shipping and moderate supplier pricing.
• Port operations and inland logistics in South Korea functioned without disruption throughout Q2, supporting lean inventory cycles and preventing unnecessary price hikes.
• Downstream users in food additives, personal care, and pharmaceuticals continued routine procurement schedules. No bulk demand emerged, helping maintain a steady Castor Oil Spot Price environment.
• Castor Oil Price Index in June 2025: USD 1590/MT CFR Busan, reflecting the market’s stabilization trend amid cautious buyer behaviour and controlled supplier pricing.
Europe
• Castor Oil Spot Price surged 2.03% in June 2025 as downstream buyers replenished depleted stocks in personal care, pharmaceutical, and coatings sectors.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
Prices corrected slightly in July following the June buying spree. The Castor Oil Spot Price stabilized as buyers in Europe had already rebuilt inventories, and Castor Oil Demand Outlook normalized amid stable operating rates.
• Castor Oil Price Forecast for early Q3 suggests a flattening price curve unless unexpected consumption spikes emerge. Current fundamentals reflect equilibrium in supply-demand flow.
• In May 2025, prices increased by 1.12% as Indian exporters tightened volumes due to reduced castor acreage. This impacted the Castor Oil Price Index, which began its upward move after April's lows.
• April 2025 saw Castor Oil Spot Prices decline, influenced by ample supply from India, low freight rates, and strong EUR/INR exchange rate. Pre-stocked volumes and subdued sectoral demand pushed landed prices downward.
• In June, Castor Oil Production Cost Trend was steady in Europe due to unchanged freight and refining margins. The rise in landed prices was solely driven by procurement demand, not production-side inflation.
• No supply chain issues occurred during Q2, ensuring consistent product flow to Rotterdam. This operational fluidity supported buyers’ ability to make volume-based decisions confidently.
• The Castor Oil Demand Outlook remained strong in Q2, particularly for food emulsifiers, lubricants, and cosmetic base materials. Coatings and pharmaceutical firms also scaled up offtake.
• Castor Oil Price Index in June 2025: USD 1658/MT CFR Rotterdam, continuing a firm upward trajectory from April lows, driven by synchronized demand recovery and strategic inventory buildup.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In North America, the Castor Oil market displayed varied pricing behaviour across the first quarter of 2025. The new year opened on a relatively steady note in January, with ample global supply stemming from fresh harvests in major production regions supporting stable trade flows and maintaining balanced price levels. Minor upward price adjustments, triggered by logistical delays such as blank sailings and fluctuations in freight rates, were effectively neutralized by restrained industrial consumption. Early economic indicators reflected cautious optimism, yet this sentiment did not translate into significant procurement momentum within castor oil-reliant industries.
A sharp shift occurred in February, prompted by abundant global availability as increased castor seed production from key agricultural areas bolstered supply chains. This oversupply, coupled with subdued demand from North America’s pharmaceutical, personal care, and specialty chemical sectors amid recessionary concerns, led to pronounced price corrections. Declining crude oil values further eroded the competitiveness of bio-based alternatives like castor oil.
Concurrently, logistical improvements and reduced freight charges following regional holiday periods enabled cheaper import options, intensifying downward pricing pressure. Favorable currency exchange trends also supported affordability for overseas purchases. By March, heightened competition from alternative vegetable oils such as soybean and palm oil diverted demand, accelerating the price decline. The quarter concluded with a consistent weakening of castor oil prices in North America, underpinned by tepid industrial demand, competitive market dynamics, and robust global supply conditions.
Asia-Pacific
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Castor Oil market witnessed a largely bearish price trajectory through the first quarter of 2025, marked by intermittent fluctuations. January began with a mixed scenario as import prices saw modest gains driven by elevated raw material costs in key supplying regions and persistent disruptions in global maritime logistics. Conversely, export prices encountered sustained downward pressure due to muted international demand and intensifying competition from major suppliers within the region, who adopted aggressive pricing tactics supported by favorable harvest outcomes. By mid-January, weakening industrial activity indicators underscored softening manufacturing momentum, which exacerbated bearish market sentiment for castor oil exports.
The Lunar New Year period in February further suppressed market activity, as is typical during this seasonal slowdown, with industrial operations and trade volumes dipping significantly. Although post-holiday improvements in factory output briefly stabilized domestic inventories, demand fundamentals remained notably weak. Export sales lagged as key overseas markets curtailed orders, while inflationary trends and currency volatility dampened purchasing appetite across international destinations.
March brought some stabilization in production activity, but demand recovery remained sluggish. Export orders continued to fall short of expectations, hindered by oversupply and competitive pricing pressure from regional suppliers. The quarter ultimately closed with a persistent softening in castor oil prices throughout the Asia-Pacific export markets, shaped by an ongoing imbalance of supply and demand, macroeconomic uncertainties, and limited downstream sector procurement.
Europe
The European castor oil market encountered considerable volatility throughout the first quarter of 2025, characterized by an initial price rebound in January followed by a progressive correction in subsequent months. The new year began with an unexpected surge in castor oil prices after several months of prior decline. This resurgence was driven by a combination of unfavourable weather affecting crop yields in major producing regions, coupled with supply chain disruptions stemming from labour issues and adverse winter conditions at key logistical hubs. Additionally, robust industrial demand from pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and specialty chemical sectors contributed to the bullish momentum, as downstream buyers moved to build inventories in anticipation of further supply constraints.
Despite these bullish factors, underlying industrial activity remained subdued, with regional manufacturing indicators pointing to a contraction in production levels. Input cost inflation and extended delivery lead times added further strain to operational continuity. By February, improved supply availability from key origin markets and the normalization of port operations began to ease logistical bottlenecks. Demand from Europe’s end-use sectors stabilized but failed to maintain the elevated procurement volumes seen in January. Consequently, prices softened in March, aligning with broader global market movements shaped by increased supply and moderated international demand. By the close of the quarter, although prices remained above early January levels, the European castor oil market had entered a gradual corrective phase, influenced by restored trade fluidity and tempered downstream purchasing across the region.
