1. WHAT COMPRISES JAMAICA’S CASTOR INDUSTRY?
The castor industry is comprised mainly of small to medium
sized farms, enterprises and distributors. Producers of Jamaican
Black Castor Oil (JBCO) use the traditional or artisan technique
and semi-mechanized methods whilst producers of coldpressed
oil, use the mechanized technique.

2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JBCO AND COLD
PRESSED CASTOR OIL?
The main difference is the way the oil is processed. The
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is processed using heat – the
beans are roasted first which brings about the dark colour
and aroma. Beans are then crushed and boiled to remove
harmful ricin and make the oil safe for topical use on hair
and skin. Cold pressed castor oil has little or no heat
applied during the extraction stage. It can be used on its
own or as a carrier oil.

3. IS THERE A BODY IN JAMAICA THAT OVERSEES THE
PRODUCTION OF JBCO?
Driven by growing interest in authentic Jamaican black castor
oil and bean, JAMPRO undertook work to develop and analyze
the castor value chain. In 2016, stakeholder consultations were
held, and a study was commissioned by JAMPRO and completed
in August 2016. Along with the findings, one of the recommendations
was to create the Jamaica Castor Industry Association
(JCIA) which materialized in January 2017.

4. WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE JAMAICA CASTOR
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION?
The mission of the JCIA is to create opportunities to
ensure the protection, growth and sustainable development of
the Jamaica castor industry by driving standards and regulations
through the implementation of strategies to benefit
stakeholders in support of Jamaica’s economic growth.

5. WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE JAMAICA CASTOR
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION?
It is the objective of the Association to provide the highest
quality service to its members and in particular:
• to assist members to maximize their individual interests relating
to castor and to realize opportunities for castor
through the development and implementation of strategic
plans.
• to help foster Jamaican export opportunities for the
castor industry
• to protect the castor industry through licensing, certification,
trademark, copyrights, and geographical indication
of castor products and specifically the Jamaican
Black Castor Oil (JBCO).

6. WHAT ARE THE TOP PARISHES WITH POTENTIAL FOR
CASTOR BEAN PRODUCTION BASED ON LAND
SUITABILITY?
The parishes with the greatest potential for growing
castor beans are St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Thomas,
St. Elizabeth, Portland, Hanover, Kingston and St Andrew.
Notwithstanding, castor is grown island wide and is
dependent on the proper conditions and soil type as
explained in the answers to Questions 7 and 8 below.

7. WHAT ARE THE IDEAL CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS TO
GROW CASTOR BEANS?
• Elevation: The limiting factor is the elevation at which
Grey Mould infestation occurs. Good yields are seen at
elevations at sea level (as seen at Bodles, St Catherine,
94ft/29 meters and Sam Motto, Manchester, 2300ft/700
meters) up to 1,500 meters
• Precipitation and Temperature: castor favours climatic
conditions that provide it with a good supply of water
in the early stages of growth. Twenty to thirty-two (20-
32) inches or 500mm to 1,000mm of annual rain fall is
recommended for the first four months of growth after
planting. Irrigation is necessary to achieve good yields
for rainfall levels below 350mm per annum. Castor
grows well at average temperatures between 20-30 degrees
Celsius.

8. WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF SOIL TO GROW CASTOR
BEAN?
The highest yields of castor are realized on loam to sandy
loam soils. The soil should have very good surface and subsurface
drainage with adequate subsoil permeability for air
and water to facilitate root growth. The soil should be flat or
with a maximum slope of 12% (~7o). Soil pH for castor should
be less than 8.5; a pH close to neutral is ideal (pH between
6.0 – 7) and electrical conductivity (EC) of less than 4.

9. HOW CAN THE QUALITY OF THE CASTOR BEAN BE
ASSESSED?
There is currently no method for determining the
quality of castor seeds for buyers and suppliers. Work is
being undertaken to develop simple and cost-effective
grading tool of castor bean oil content to ensure that
farmers are properly rewarded for improved farming
practices, seed variety and to ensure that processors/buyers
have greater confidence and transparency in the value of
their inputs

10. IS THERE A MARKET FOR JAMAICAN BLACK CASTOR
OIL AND CASTOR BEANS?
There is indeed a vibrant market for castor oil and castor
beans. The JCIA receives frequent calls from persons who
are interested in growing the beans and from oil producers
who require large amounts of beans. A 2016 study
conducted by JAMPRO indicates that by 2020 global sales in
castor oil are forecast to reach US$3.4 Billion.
There is significant market opportunity for exporters of
castor oil and manufacturers of cosmetic products. JAMPRO
is working to expand the presence of Jamaican cosmetics
and castor oil in the USA and the UK; and uses outward
missions as a launching pad to strengthen the marketing of
these Jamaican products in the United States.

11. IS THERE A FIXED PRICING STRUCTURE FOR CASTOR
OIL AND CASTOR BEANS?
Prices fluctuate based on several factors but is mainly
determined by demand and supply. Also sourcing of raw
material and production costs are other factors which will
influence prices. Castor bean prices range from J$150 to
J$450 per pound and the price of castor oil ranges from
J$12,000 to J$25,000 per gallon.

12. DOES JAMPRO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN MARKETING
THEIR PRODUCTS OVERSEAS?
As the national export and investment promotions
agency, JAMPRO executes ongoing marketing initiatives
including business matchmaking and trade missions to
assist local castor oil producers to enter international
markets. In partnership with the JCIA, the Agency aims to
create more business opportunities for companies across
the industry, including those growing and producing raw
materials and enterprises manufacturing castor oil and value
added derivative products.

13. DOES THE JAMAICA CASTOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION/
JAMPRO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
Currently the association does not provide financial
assistance; however, assistance is given to members with
finding alternative financial options and in the near future
access to special financial windows such as JMEA/ EXIM Bank
facility, NCB loan and VISA Credit Card facility.

14. HOW DO I REGISTER TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE
JAMAICA CASTOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION?
Registration forms can be obtained from JAMPRO via email or
by visiting our offices. Completed forms are returned to
JAMPRO along with the relevant supporting documents (as
indicated on the form). An annual membership fee of $10,000
is payable to the JCIA’s bank account at JN Bank.

15. HOW DO I RECEIVE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING
EVENTS HOSTED BY THE JAMAICA CASTOR INDUSTRY
ASSOCIATION/JAMPRO?
Interested individuals should submit their contact details to
the JCIA Secretariat, c/o JAMPRO; contact details will then
be added to the database and will be included in all emails
relevant to the industry.