In the second half of 2024, the price movement of Hydrogenated Castor Oil was rather variable, mainly due to the changing market scenario in India, the primary raw material market. In the third quarter, the prices remained flat as suppliers tried to maintain stock levels to ensure the supply chain. Subsequently, as the supply from India reduced due to lower output from the principal growing areas, the market experienced pressure from the reduced supplies. The North American and European markets, which are import-dependent, also had to compete for the available supplies, hence driving the prices of hydrogenated castor oil higher.
Despite these upward forces, favorable weather in certain areas and improvements in processing efficiency helped temper the overall price increase. The downstream industries, which include cosmetics, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals, have maintained steady demand, but the purchase behaviour has been conservative, which has not caused any major price movements. The prices have eased slightly in the fourth quarter, considering the constraints in India, which were offset by steady demand. The issues in transportation and crop risks have affected the market. Overall, hydrogenated castor oil prices remained within a defined range, reflecting both supply disruptions and managed consumption patterns.