China, Pakistan Expand Cooperation in Castor Industry

Report by Muhammad Furqan

Pakistan’s Roomi Agriculture Company and China’s Zibo Academy of Agricultural Sciences have signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement to strengthen collaboration in the castor industry, focusing on scientific breeding, planting technology, processing, and market expansion.

Under the agreement, a Shandong-based agricultural company will oversee seed production, provide technical support, and develop digital water-fertilizer systems to enhance cultivation. The Zibo Academy will contribute herbicide-resistant and salt-tolerant castor varieties through advanced breeding techniques.

With global demand for castor oil rising, particularly in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, experts highlight the need for diversified production beyond India, which currently dominates over 80% of global supply. Pakistan’s Pothwar region, with its ideal climate and soil, presents a strong opportunity for expanding castor cultivation.

Pakistan exported USD 2.69 million worth of castor seeds in 2023, primarily to China and the UAE. The new collaboration is expected to boost production, enhance processing capabilities, and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global castor market.