Castor oil seeds production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 6,609 t of castor oil seeds, the 10th largest in the world (0.36% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 3.2%. The record was 20,300 t in 1962. Area harvested: 9,031 ha, yield 0.7 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 6,609 t
- World rank
- 10 of 31
- 10-year change
- +3.2%
- Record
- 20,300 t
- 1962
Castor oil seeds in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.36%
- 0.31% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 0.7
- world 1.5 (−51%)
- kg per person
- 0.10
- world 0.22
- 10-year change
- +3.2%
- world −13%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Ethiopia | 11,000 | 0.61% |
| 9 | Vietnam | 7,000 | 0.39% |
| 10 | South Africa | 6,609 | 0.36% |
| 11 | Angola | 4,228 | 0.23% |
| 12 | Pakistan | 4,040 | 0.22% |
Map of world production of castor oil seeds
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6,609 | +0.3% | 9,031 | 0.73 |
| 2023 | 6,588 | +0.5% | 8,986 | 0.73 |
| 2022 | 6,557 | −1.9% | 8,942 | 0.73 |
| 2021 | 6,682 | +2.4% | 8,964 | 0.75 |
| 2020 | 6,525 | +0.9% | 8,793 | 0.74 |
| 2019 | 6,464 | +0.9% | 8,730 | 0.74 |
| 2018 | 6,407 | +0.7% | 8,676 | 0.74 |
| 2017 | 6,360 | +0.4% | 8,631 | 0.74 |
| 2016 | 6,334 | +1.2% | 8,626 | 0.73 |
| 2015 | 6,258 | −2.3% | 8,559 | 0.73 |
| 2014 | 6,405 | +3.3% | 8,795 | 0.73 |
| 2013 | 6,200 | +3.3% | 8,500 | 0.73 |
| 2012 | 6,000 | +3.9% | 8,200 | 0.73 |
| 2011 | 5,774 | +2.5% | 8,000 | 0.72 |
| 2010 | 5,631 | +2.4% | 7,911 | 0.71 |
| 2009 | 5,498 | +1.9% | 7,888 | 0.70 |
| 2008 | 5,393 | +1.6% | 7,813 | 0.69 |
| 2007 | 5,310 | +1.2% | 7,768 | 0.68 |
| 2006 | 5,245 | +1.1% | 7,748 | 0.68 |
| 2005 | 5,190 | +0.9% | 7,744 | 0.67 |
| 2004 | 5,142 | +0.9% | 7,750 | 0.66 |
| 2003 | 5,094 | +1.1% | 7,721 | 0.66 |
| 2002 | 5,041 | +1.3% | 7,648 | 0.66 |
| 2001 | 4,978 | +1.6% | 7,560 | 0.66 |
| 2000 | 4,900 | +2.1% | 7,450 | 0.66 |
| 1999 | 4,800 | +2.2% | 7,306 | 0.66 |
| 1998 | 4,697 | +1.5% | 7,156 | 0.66 |
| 1997 | 4,627 | +2.5% | 7,058 | 0.66 |
| 1996 | 4,516 | +2.1% | 6,897 | 0.65 |
| 1995 | 4,424 | +2.1% | 6,763 | 0.65 |
| 1994 | 4,331 | +2.2% | 6,628 | 0.65 |
| 1993 | 4,239 | +2.2% | 6,494 | 0.65 |
| 1992 | 4,146 | +2.3% | 6,359 | 0.65 |
| 1991 | 4,054 | −28% | 6,224 | 0.65 |
| 1990 | 5,615 | +12% | 8,125 | 0.69 |
| 1989 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1988 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1987 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1986 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1985 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1984 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1983 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1982 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1981 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1980 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1979 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1978 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1977 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1976 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1975 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1974 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1973 | 5,000 | +11% | 8,000 | 0.63 |
| 1972 | 4,500 | +13% | 8,000 | 0.56 |
| 1971 | 4,000 | −22% | 7,000 | 0.57 |
| 1970 | 5,100 | +4.1% | 8,000 | 0.64 |
| 1969 | 4,899 | +53% | 8,000 | 0.61 |
| 1968 | 3,198 | −24% | 5,200 | 0.62 |
| 1967 | 4,200 | +5.0% | 6,900 | 0.61 |
| 1966 | 4,001 | −73% | 6,600 | 0.61 |
| 1965 | 15,000 | +11% | 25,000 | 0.60 |
| 1964 | 13,500 | +50% | 22,000 | 0.61 |
| 1963 | 9,000 | −56% | 15,000 | 0.60 |
| 1962 | 20,300 | +103% | 33,000 | 0.62 |
| 1961 | 10,000 | — | 17,000 | 0.59 |
Questions and answers
What is the production of castor oil seeds in South Africa?
South Africa produced 6,609 t in 2024, 0.36% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of castor oil seeds?
South Africa ranked 10th of 31 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 87.5% of the world total.
How has the production of castor oil seeds in South Africa changed?
It rose by 3.2% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −13% for the world. The record was 20,300 t in 1962.
What is the yield of castor oil seeds in South Africa?
0.7 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (6,609 t from 9,031 ha), against a world average of 1.5 t/ha.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for South Africa is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.