India is the leading producer of castor oil in the world,
followed by China and Brazil with 0.8 and 0.4 lakh tons
respectively. The present annual world trade in castor oil
is estimated at about 2.0-2.50 lakh tons. The major importers
of castor oil in the world market are European
Union, US and Japan. The world demand for castor oil is
estimated to be growing at the rate of about 3 to 5 % per
annum. Both Brazil and China have experienced a steady
increase in their domestic castor oil consumption in the
recent years and thus utilize almost their entire production.
India consumes only a quarter of its castor oil production
and exports the rest [13].