Food-grade and technical castor oil require different supplier qualifications and deliver different results in the final product. Castor oil suppliers on Nutrada list both types from GFSI-certified facilities, filterable by processing method, quality, and origin.
| Value | Description |
| Botanical name | Ricinus communis |
| Available forms | Food/pharmaceutical grade (pale yellow, viscous), technical grade (darker, industrial) |
| Origins | India (Gujarat), Brazil (Bahia) |
| Certifications | GFSI (BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000), EU Organic, USP/BP pharmaceutical grade, Kosher, Halal |
| Common applications | Cosmetics (moisturizer, hair care), pharmaceuticals (laxative), industrial lubricants |
| Packaging | Jerrycans, Drums, IBCs, Tanks |
| MOQ | 180kg |
| Category | Oils Wholesale |
| Form/Grade | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| Food/pharmaceutical grade (USP/BP) | Pale yellow, viscous oil with max 1.5% FFA, meets pharmaceutical standards | Cosmetic formulations, pharmaceutical laxatives |
| Technical grade | Darker industrial oil with higher impurity levels | Industrial lubricants, polymer chemistry, biodiesel |
India accounts for approximately 85% of global castor oil supply, with Gujarat state alone handling over 80% of Indian castor seed production and harvest concentrated from December to February. Brazil's Bahia state provides counter-seasonal supply with planting from November to January and harvest from April to June, offering procurement teams alternative sourcing windows when Indian supply tightens. Castor oil for food-contact applications in the EU must comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials, while cosmetic uses remain outside food legislation scope. Indian specialty oil exporters in Gujarat typically supply both neem oil and castor oil from overlapping processing infrastructure in the Saurashtra region.
Castor oil contains approximately 90% ricinoleic acid, a hydroxyl fatty acid that creates extremely high viscosity and unique industrial properties not found in other vegetable oils. Store below 25 degrees Celsius to maintain viscosity consistency, with typical shelf life of 12-18 months under controlled conditions. Buyers must verify the complete removal of ricin during oil extraction, as this toxic compound remains present in castor bean pomace but is eliminated in properly processed oil.
India and Brazil both offer EU Organic and USDA NOP certified castor oil, though organic acreage remains limited compared to conventional production. Dual-certification availability varies by supplier, with most organic lots carrying single-region certification.
Consumer packaging includes cosmetic bottles for hair growth treatments, lip balm containers, and pharmaceutical vials for laxative applications. MOQ for private label typically exceeds bulk orders due to packaging setup requirements. Buyers must specify USP/BP pharmaceutical grade versus cosmetic grade before production begins, as the quality specifications differ significantly.
Manufacturers concentrate in Gujarat, India where processing infrastructure handles both castor oil extraction and purification to pharmaceutical standards. Request batch-specific CoA showing ricinoleic acid percentage, FFA levels, and ricin absence confirmation from suppliers. In cosmetic formulations, castor oil competes with jojoba oil as both offer unique rheological properties for emollient applications.
Nutrada lists GFSI-certified castor oil suppliers from India and Brazil, covering food-grade and technical grades across conventional and organic supply. All orders are placed directly with certified suppliers, with no intermediary.
Last updated: Apr 10, 2026
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