India castor seed output seen up 11% on year at 1.76 mln tn in 2025-26 - SEA
This story was originally published at 14:22 IST on 2 March 2026
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NEW DELHI – India's castor seed production is estimated to rise 11% on year to 1.76 million tonnes in 2025-26, supported by timely sowing, well-distributed monsoon, and wider adoption of high-yielding varieties, according to the Solvent Extractors' Association. India meets over 90% of global castor oil demand, with exports of the oil and its derivatives estimated at $1.8 billion annually.
The survey was conducted by Indian Agribusiness Systems Ltd., or AgriWatch, using field surveys and remote-sensing analysis. SEA released the survey findings at the Global Castor Conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, held last week. "Estimates are based on two rounds of field surveys conducted up to the first week of February 2026, with further re-validation planned during March–April," the association said.
Farmers have increased castor sowing by 3% on year to 890,000 hectares in 2025-26, and the average yield is up 8% on year to 1,977 kilograms per hectare. Gujarat remains the top castor grower with 1.36 million tonnes output, up 9% on year. Although acreage marginally declined in the state, higher productivity by good crop management and favourable weather has offset area reduction, the association said.
"Crop health across states remained largely satisfactory, with only localized stress due to excess rainfall or dry spells, which did not materially impact overall output," the association said. In Rajasthan, castor acreage is up 10% on year, and output is sharply up 18% on year, it added.
At 1344 IST, the most-active March contract of castor seed was down 0.3% at INR 6,240 per 100 kg on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange. End
US$1 = INR 91.46
IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT
Reported by Afra Abubacker
Edited by Tanima Banerjee
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