Classification
Product TypeIndustrial Product
Product FormRefined castor oil (bulk liquid)
Industry PositionOleochemical feedstock / industrial ingredient
Market
Castor oil (HS/GTIP 151530) in Turkey is primarily an import-supplied industrial input rather than a domestically produced agricultural commodity. UN Comtrade/WITS data for 2023 show Turkey importing about USD 15.0 million (~8.7 million kg) of castor oil and its fractions, with India accounting for the overwhelming majority of supply. Exports from Turkey exist but appear small relative to imports, consistent with minor re-export or redistribution activity. Market access and continuity are therefore driven by import logistics, supplier concentration, and Turkey’s chemicals/custsoms compliance requirements for placing products on the market.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent industrial input market)
Domestic RoleSpecialty industrial oil used as an input for downstream chemical formulation and manufacturing applications (e.g., oleochemicals and industrial products).
Risks
Supply Concentration HighTurkey’s castor oil imports are highly concentrated in a single origin (India). Any supplier-side disruption, export frictions, or quality nonconformity affecting Indian supply can rapidly constrain availability for Turkey’s import-dependent market.Pre-qualify multiple suppliers (including at least one non-India backup where commercially viable), hold safety stock, and contractually require COA/SDS conformance with clear rejection/recall clauses.
Logistics MediumAs a bulk liquid commodity, castor oil landed cost and delivery reliability are sensitive to sea-freight volatility and equipment availability (drums/IBCs/ISO tanks/flexitanks), which can delay production schedules for downstream users.Use forward freight planning, diversify shipment formats (drums vs flexitank) by season/route, and build lead-time buffers for sea shipments.
Regulatory Compliance MediumMisalignment with Turkey’s chemicals compliance expectations (e.g., KKDIK/SEA and SDS/GBF obligations where applicable) can block placing the product on the market, trigger relabeling/SDS rework, or cause clearance delays.Confirm HS/GTIP and intended use, validate whether exemptions apply, and ensure Turkish-compliant documentation (COA, SDS/GBF where required) and labeling readiness before shipment.
Documentation Gap MediumInconsistencies between invoice/packing list/B/L, COA, origin paperwork, and product description/HS classification can trigger customs queries, delay release, or create post-clearance audit exposure.Run a pre-shipment document reconciliation checklist aligned to the customs declaration and retain records for post-clearance controls.
Sustainability- Single-origin import dependence (India-dominant sourcing for HS 151530) increases the importance of supply-chain resilience planning and origin/batch traceability for downstream customers.
FAQ
Where does Turkey mainly import castor oil from?UN Comtrade/WITS trade data for HS 151530 indicates Turkey’s imports are overwhelmingly sourced from India (e.g., 2023 import data and 2024 top-exporter-to-Turkey data both show India as the dominant supplier).
Is Turkey a significant exporter of castor oil?Trade data show Turkey has some exports of HS 151530, but they are small compared with Turkey’s imports, which is consistent with limited re-export or redistribution rather than large-scale domestic production.
What are the key compliance areas to check when importing castor oil into Turkey for industrial use?Core checks typically include customs documentation for import clearance (e.g., customs declaration, invoice, transport document, and origin paperwork as applicable) and, where relevant to placing the product on the market, alignment with Turkey’s chemicals compliance framework (KKDIK and SEA) and Safety Data Sheet (GBF/SDS) requirements.