Domestic Castor Production Expected to Fall Sharply

30-Apr-2025 03:11 PM

Mumbai. The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has projected a sharp decline in domestic castor production for the 2024–25 season, estimating output at 15.60 lakh tonnes, down from 19.76 lakh tonnes in the previous season.

The fall is attributed to a significant reduction in the sowing area and a decline in average crop yield caused by adverse weather conditions and natural calamities.

According to the association’s Executive Director, rising temperatures from February onward severely impacted castor yield, especially in regions with late or re-sown crops. In key producing states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, the productivity of castor has dropped considerably, contributing to the nationwide production slump.

The sowing area for castor has declined by 1.20 lakh hectares, or 12%, dropping from 9.88 lakh hectares in 2023–24 to 8.68 lakh hectares in 2024–25. The average yield is also expected to fall from 2000 kg per hectare to 1796 kg per hectare.

In Gujarat, the largest producing state, castor acreage has reduced from 7.24 lakh hectares to 6.46 lakh hectares, with production likely to decline by 22%, from 15.74 lakh tonnes to 12.26 lakh tonnes. The yield rate here is expected to decrease from 2174 kg/ha to 1897 kg/ha due to prolonged high temperatures.

Similarly, in Rajasthan, production is projected to fall by 13.4%, from 3.13 lakh tonnes to 2.71 lakh tonnes, while the sowing area dropped from 1.92 lakh hectares to 1.70 lakh hectares. The yield rate in the state has fallen from 1630 kg/ha to 1594 kg/ha.

Other castor-producing states, including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, are also expected to witness a drop in output due to similar climatic challenges.