Brazil Castor Seed and Castor Oil Production, Castor Companies

While India leads the castor oil producing countries, being heads and shoulders above the rest, China and Brazil are two other countries that are (still) in the picture.

This post provides some data and details on castor production in Brazil.

Poor Yields

The table below provides details for castor seed production in Brazil during the year 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Production (‘000/T) Area Harvested(‗000/Ha) Yield  (T/H)
25 141 128 219 0.19   0.64

As we can see from the above, the yields for Brazil appears really low – I mean, 200 Kg per hectare (for 2011-12) is a really poor number. The yield for 12-13 (640 Kg) is a far better number, hopefully this will be repeated for 13-14 and further.

Compare the above data with the average Indian yields, which are about 1000 kg/ha.

Now, there are folks who feel even 1 T / ha/year is fairly poor, so just imagine what they would say to the average yields in Brazil in the recent past.

(There are reports of some improved open-pollinated varieties in Brazil yielding 1,300 kg/ha, with reports of exceptional yields going up to 5,000 kg/ha, but then these are exceptions and not the rule).

Prominent Castor Oil & Derivatives Producers in Brazil

Company Location
Bom Brasil Salvador, BA
A.Azevedo Itupeva, SP
Enovel Bariri, SP

Arkema Launches Oleris, a Castor Based Product For the Cosmetics Market

Arkema draws on the benefits of its Orgasol® and Rilsan® cosmetics powders to develop skincare products for men, unveiled for the first time at the In Cosmetics trade fair held recently in Paris (Porte de Versailles). This tradeshow also provided an opportunity to share the findings of a clinical trial that demonstrates the moisturizing benefits of the Orgasol® Hydra+ powder in a new healthy glow extra-soft powder formulation, and the latest innovations in its Orgasol® and Rilsan® fine powder ranges, in an approach that perfectly integrates the Group’s CSR strategy. Also Oleris®, a vegetable oil origin range of chemicals, processed from castor oil, used in many cosmetic applications, were also presented.

OLERIS® A 100% VEGETABLE OIL ORIGIN RANGE OF CHEMICALS, PROCESSED FROM CASTOR OIL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH GREEN CHEMISTRY PRINCIPLES

Oleris® Methyl Undecylenate and Oleris® Undecylenic Acid find interesting applications, through their derivatives in cosmetics applications like hair care, deodorant, beauty creams, etc.New in 2013 : Oleris® Undecylenic acid and Oleris® Methyl Undecylenate are both compliant with the raw materials standard that can be used in the formulation of cosmetics certified according to the Natural and Organic ECOCERT standard.

This year also, Oleris® family is enhanced with Oleris® Sebacic acid, synthesis intermediate for sebacates esters can find interesting applications in cosmetics as emollients, masking agent, film forming agent, hair or skin conditioning agent, SPF Booster, etc.

Castorseed down 1.3% on low export demand

Castorseed prices dropped by Rs 54 to Rs 4,094 per quintal in futures trading on 19th May as speculators trimmed positions on low export demand amid mounting of stocks in domestic markets.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, castorseed for delivery in August dropped by Rs 54, or 1.30%, to Rs 4,094 per quintal, with an open interest of 19,820 lots.

Most-active June contract dipped by Rs 43, or 1.09%, to Rs 3,918 per quintal, in an open interest of 1,81,220 lots.

Similarly, May contracts also fell by Rs 40, or 1.02%, to Rs 3,873 per quintal, having an open interest of 2,370 lots.

Marketmen said besides low export demand, ample supplies from growing regions following higher output hopes, mainly influenced the market sentiment.

More: http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/castorseed-down-1-3-on-low-export-demand-114051900399_1.html

Castor oil for natural health

Though we mainly know it as one of Edgar Cayce’s most famous remedies, castor oil has a long history of traditional medical use dating back to ancient Egypt. Derived from the castor bean, the oil was traditionally used internally as a laxative. However, now it is primarily used externally due to its potential toxicity.

A castor oil pack is placed on the skin to increase circulation and to promote elimination and healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. It is used to stimulate the liver, relieve pain, increase lymphatic circulation, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion.

Castor oil packs are a traditional holistic treatment for a range of conditions, such as: cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder), poor eliminations, epilepsy, various liver conditions such as cirrhosis and torpid liver, scleroderma, headaches, appendicitis, arthritis, incoordination between assimilations and eliminations, colitis, intestinal disorders such as stricture and colon impaction, incoordination between nervous systems, neuritis, and toxemia.

Castor oil packs are made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil and placing it on the skin. The flannel is covered with a sheet of plastic, and then a hot water bottle is placed over the plastic to heat the pack.

A castor oil pack can be placed on the following body regions:

The right side of the abdomen to stimulate the liver; inflamed and swollen joints, bursitis, and muscle strains; the abdomen to relieve constipation and other digestive disorders; the lower abdomen in cases of menstrual irregularities and uterine and ovarian cysts.

Safety precautions: Castor oil should not be taken internally. It should not be applied to broken skin, or used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or during menstrual flow.

More: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/castor_oil.html

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Profit booking crushes castor

Castor futures declined on profit booking by traders though spot prices gained marginally on stockists’ demand. Traders said that castor futures market is in an unstable condition due to huge speculations. On the NCDEX, castor June contract was down ₹46 to ₹3,899. On the Rajkot Commodity Exchange, castor June decreased ₹50 to ₹3,899 per quintal. RCX spot castor was up ₹12.50 to ₹3,775. Castor oil lost ₹5 to ₹785/10 kg. About 85,000-90,000 bags of castorseed arrived in Gujarat and traded for ₹750-760 for 20 kg. Around 8,900-9,000 bags arrived in Saurashtra and price was quoted at ₹730-740. According to traders, this year crop size is expected lower and as a result demand from stockists is strong. Spot castor may improve more in coming days as arrivals move down gradually.

More: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/profit-booking-crushes-castor/article6033863.ece

Castorseed futures gain on low-level buying – April 30, 2014

Castorseed prices improved by Rs 37 to Rs 4,281 per quintal in futures trading on 30th April following low levels buying at prevailing lower levels.

Marketmen said fresh buying support after yesterday’s sell-off, mainly brought the prices in green zone.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, castorseed prices for July contract rose by Rs 37, or 0.87 per cent, to Rs 4,281 per quintal, with an open interest of 78,120 lots.

Near-June contract advanced by Rs 34, or 0.82 per cent, to Rs 4,182 per quintal with an open interest of 96,930 lots.

Most active May contract also improved by Rs 33, or 0.81 per cent, to Rs 4,119 per quintal, showing an open interest of 1,13,680 lots.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/castorseed-futures-gain-on-low-level-buying-114043000943_1.html

Higher inflow crushes castor – April 9, 2014

With arrival of castorseed in spot market topping over one lakh bags, the price of the oilseed plummeted in spot and futures markets.

According to traders, demand was very limited and price may go down further. Export demand was also weak in castor oil. On the Rajkot Commodity Exchange, castor June contracts were down by ₹119 at ₹3,992 a quintal. RCX spot castor decreased by ₹85 to ₹3,825. Castor oil was down by ₹15 to ₹800/10 kg. About 98,000-1 lakh bags of castor seed arrived in Gujarat for ₹750-760. Similarly, around 7,800-8,000 bags arrived in Saurashtra at ₹750-760 for a maund of 20 kg.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/higher-inflow-crushes-castor/article5892327.ece?ref=wl_markets

Castorseed futures price dips on increased selling – April 7, 2014

Castorseed prices slipped by Rs 44 to Rs 4,113 per quintal in futures trade on the back of fall in overseas and domestic demand against rising stocks position.

Marketmen said increased selling by traders on existing higher levels mainly led the fall in prices.

Improvement in supply as well as selling on higher levels mainly created increased stocks position in the spotmarkets and pulled down the prices of castor seed.

Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-07/news/48939470_1_castorseed-may-contract-dips

Some interesting links

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Demand for meal lifts castor – March 26, 2014

Castor futures moved up marginally on account of strong export demand for its meal in local mandis along with weak production estimates for the current year. However, spot traded weak.

Since Wednesday, most of the APMCs in Gujarat will be closed for a week. Arrival of castor also halved and will decrease further.

On the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), castor April contract increased ₹7 to ₹4,140 with an open interest of 155,800 lots. NCDEX May contract was up ₹9 to ₹4,208 a quintal with an open interest of 82,960 lots.

On Rajkot Commodity Exchange (RCX), castor for June gained ₹20 to ₹4,243. RCX spot castor declined ₹12 to ₹3,959.

Data compiled by Solvent Extractors Association showed that the exports of castor meal during February reported a strong gain of over 254 per cent to reach 0.39 lakh tonnes against 0.11 lakh tonnes of the previous year.

About 28,000-30,000 bags of castor arrived in Gujarat and prices stood at ₹770-790 for 20 kg. Around 900-1,000 bags arrived in Saurashtra for ₹745-780. Castor oil increased ₹5 to ₹835/10 kg.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/demand-for-meal-lifts-castor/article5835536.ece

Evogene Subsidary and SLC Agricola Colloborate for Castor Bean Production in Brazil

Evogene Ltd., a  plant genomics company specializing in enhancing crop productivity for the food, feed and biofuel industries,  and SLC Agricola S.A., one of Brazil’s largest landowners and agriculture businesses,  have announced that they are signing of a collaboration agreement between SLC and  Evofuel Ltd., Evogene’s wholly-owned subsidiary, for the commercial production of Evofuel developed castor bean varieties in Brazil, expected to take place during 2016. Evofuel focuses on the development of high yielding castor bean seeds as a second-generation feedstock for the growing biofuel and other industrial markets.

Under the terms of the agreement, Evofuel will provide SLC with seeds of its proprietary castor bean varieties and SLC will be responsible for growing the crop on its farms in northeast Brazil. The resulting castor bean grain will be sold to local oil producers to address the industry need for castor oil.  The agreement provides for the allocation between SLC and Evofuel of revenues from sales of castor bean grain.

Commercial sales of castor bean grain under the agreement are expected to take place during 2016, prior to which the two companies will cooperate on scale up and pre-commercial activities for grain production, as well as development of best practices for agronomic management of castor bean in SLC’s commercial production units.

Source: http://www.twst.com/update/48022-evogene-ltd-evogene-subsidiary-and-slc-agricola-sign-collaboration-agreement-for-commercial-production-of-castor-bean-in-brazil

Some interesting links

Building Energy Analytics

Some Innovative & Unique Solar Power