Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius) in India are primarily an oilseed crop associated with rabi-season cultivation in semi-arid production zones. Production is concentrated in Maharashtra and Karnataka, with additional cultivation reported in several other states. India participates in international trade for HS 120760 (safflower seeds), but exports are relatively small in value and concentrated in a handful of destinations. Market access and trade execution are strongly shaped by end-use classification (food/processing vs seed for sowing) and India’s plant quarantine and food-import clearance controls.
Market RoleDomestic producer with limited exports
Domestic RoleOilseed crop primarily supplying domestic crushing/edible-oil and related seed markets
SeasonalitySafflower in India is mainly grown as a winter (rabi) season crop, broadly described as September/October through March/April depending on agro-climatic zone and sowing date.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Annigeri-1 (A-1)
- PBNS-12 (Parbhani Kusum)
- NARI-6
- DSH-185
Physical Attributes- Spiny vs non-spiny plant type is a relevant handling/harvest characteristic; some Indian cultivars are described as non-spiny.
Compositional Metrics- Seed oil content around ~29–30% is listed for some ICAR-IIOR cultivar profiles (e.g., PBNS-12, NARI-6).
- Research on Indian safflower breeding reports development of high-oleic types (reported ranges in the literature), but commercialization and adoption should be verified for the specific supplier lot.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Farm harvest → drying/cleaning → storage → delivery to crushers/feed/bird-seed channels or export consignment assembly
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMisclassification of safflower seed end-use (e.g., seed for sowing/seed-quality vs processing/food) or failure to meet India’s plant quarantine and food-import clearance requirements can trigger consignment holds, re-export/destruction orders, or extended port delays.Confirm intended end-use before contracting; align HS/ITC-HS and documentation accordingly; secure required plant quarantine import permits where applicable; pre-check phytosanitary certificate wording and be prepared for FSSAI referral, sampling, and testing if imported as a food article.
Plant Health MediumDisease and pest pressure (including reported fungal diseases and aphid issues) can reduce yield and affect seed quality consistency; varietal choice and local agronomy materially influence outcomes in key producing states.Specify varietal identity and quality parameters in contracts; source from suppliers using ICAR-recommended varieties/hybrids with documented tolerance/resistance traits where relevant; require pre-shipment cleaning to minimize extraneous matter and contamination risk.
Climate MediumRabi-season production in semi-arid areas is sensitive to rainfall distribution and humidity extremes; ICAR notes safflower does not tolerate excessive rainfall/humidity due to increased fungal disease risk.Diversify sourcing across producing regions; monitor seasonal weather and disease advisories in Maharashtra/Karnataka belts; use flexible shipment windows to avoid quality loss in adverse harvest conditions.
Logistics MediumPort and border inspection timing (plant quarantine and, for food articles, FSSAI processes) can create unpredictable dwell time and demurrage risk, particularly for bulk seed consignments.Use experienced CHA/agents; pre-validate document sets against importer checklists; plan buffer time for sampling/testing contingencies and ensure storage conditions minimize moisture and insect exposure during waits.
Sustainability- Dryland/rainfed production exposure: safflower is positioned as a winter-season crop in relatively drier areas, increasing sensitivity to rainfall variability and moisture stress.
- Fungal disease sensitivity under excessive rainfall/humidity conditions during the growing season.
FAQ
Which Indian states are most associated with safflower seed production?Published research on safflower in India identifies Maharashtra and Karnataka as chief safflower-growing states, with additional cultivation noted in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
What HS code is commonly used for safflower seeds in trade statistics?Safflower seeds are classified under HS 120760 (Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) seeds), which is the code used in UN HS classification detail pages and in WITS/Comtrade trade tables.
What are the key compliance steps to import safflower seeds into India?Imports of seeds and plant products are regulated under India’s Plant Quarantine Order (2003), which can require phytosanitary certification and permits depending on the commodity and end-use. If the consignment is imported as a food article, it may also be referred to FSSAI for clearance through the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), which includes document checks, inspection, and risk-based sampling/testing.