India is known as a world leader in caster seed and caster oil production and leads the international caster oil trade. Caster oil production in this country usually fluctuates between 250000 and 350000 tons per year. Approximately 86% of caster seed production in India is concentrated in Gujarat, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Specifically, the region of Mehsana, Banaskantha, and Saurashtra/Kutch in Gujarat and the district of Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar of Andhra Pradesh are the major areas of caster oil production in India

Caster oil is a vegetable oil pressed from caster beans. It includes a mixture of triglycerides in which about 90% of fatty acids are ricinoleate. Caster oil and its derivatives are used in the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, hydraulic acid, brake fluids, paints, dyes,coatings,cold resistant plastics,waxes and polishes. Annually, 270000-360000 tonnes(600-800 million pounds) of caster oil are used for a variety of uses