> 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%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[Castor oil seeds](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2024

# 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.

[Today’s prices](https://husfarm.com/today-price/castor-seed/)[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 20246,609 t
World rank10 of 31
10-year change+3.2%
Record20,300 t1962

## Castor oil seeds in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2024

Share of world total0.36%0.31% in 2014
Yield, t/ha0.7world 1.5 (−51%)
kg per person0.10world 0.22
10-year change+3.2%world −13%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 8 | [Ethiopia](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/ethiopia/) | 11,000 | 0.61% |
| 9 | [Vietnam](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/vietnam/) | 7,000 | 0.39% |
| 10 | **South Africa** | 6,609 | 0.36% |
| 11 | [Angola](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/angola/) | 4,228 | 0.23% |
| 12 | [Pakistan](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/pakistan/) | 4,040 | 0.22% |

[Full ranking of 31 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/)

### Map of world production of castor oil seeds

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
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

[India](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/india/)[Mozambique](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/mozambique/)[Brazil](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/brazil/)[China](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/china/)[Kenya](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/kenya/)[Myanmar](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/myanmar/)[Thailand](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/thailand/)[Ethiopia](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/ethiopia/)[Vietnam](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/vietnam/)[Angola](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/angola/)[Pakistan](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/pakistan/)[Paraguay](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/paraguay/)
[All countries producing castor oil seeds](https://husfarm.com/production/castor-oil-seeds/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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