XP-0103 Oil Seeds
Flax
Superior quality Flax seeds with high oil yield and minimal moisture, perfect for industrial and culinary use.
FSSAIISO 22000IOPEPC
Min. Order
5 Metric Tons
🌿 Vegetarian Product
✓ Non-GMO
🌱 Organic Available
Oil Seeds SKU: XP-0104
Safflower
Superior quality Safflower seeds with high oil yield and minimal moisture, perfect for industrial and culinary use.
Commercial Trade Terms
Min. Order (MOQ)
5 Metric Tons
HS Code
1207
Origin
India
Price Range
Price on Request
Export Documents
- Certificate of Origin (IOPEPC / FIEO)
- Phytosanitary Certificate (PPQS)
- Fumigation Certificate
- Pesticide Residue & Heavy Metal Report (EC 396/2005)
- Non-GMO Declaration
- SGS / Bureau Veritas Inspection Report
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice & Packing List
Available Bag Sizes
25kg50kg1000kg Jumbo
Available Bag Types
PP (Polypropylene)Paper LaminatedJuteBulk Jumbo BagVacuum Pack
Product Overview
COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT OVERVIEW
High-oil content Safflower seeds sourced from sustainable farms. These seeds are ideal for oil extraction and edible purposes, meeting the highest international standards for purity and freshness. As a leading manufacturer and exporter in India, IndianXporter ensures that our Safflower meets the stringent quality requirements of international markets. Our robust supply chain allows us to fulfill bulk orders consistently, offering highly competitive FOB and CIF pricing to our B2B partners worldwide. Our processing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensuring that every shipment of Safflower is thoroughly sorted, cleaned, and graded. We adhere to global food safety and industrial standards, backed by third-party inspections from agencies like SGS upon buyer request.
As a leading manufacturer and exporter in India, IndianXporter ensures that our Safflower meets the stringent quality requirements of international markets. Our robust supply chain allows us to fulfill bulk orders consistently, offering highly competitive FOB and CIF pricing to our B2B partners worldwide.
Our processing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensuring that every shipment of Safflower is thoroughly sorted, cleaned, and graded. We adhere to global food safety and industrial standards, backed by third-party inspections from agencies like SGS upon buyer request.
What is Safflower?
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), known in India as kusum, is a traditional drought-hardy oilseed valued for three distinct outputs: high-linoleic safflower oil prized for its heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat profile, dried safflower petals used as a natural colourant and saffron substitute, and decorticated kernel and seed used in bird food and feed. It is one of humanity's oldest crops and India is among its oldest continuous cultivators.
India grows safflower mainly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, where the crop thrives on residual soil moisture in semi-arid rabi conditions. Indian safflower trades both as whole seed for oil crushing and bird food, and as dried petals (kusum flowers) exported as a natural food and textile colourant and as an affordable saffron alternative. The high-linoleic oil — among the highest of any edible oil — anchors safflower's reputation in heart-health and cosmetic markets.
Globally, safflower seed and oil supply comes from the USA, Mexico and Kazakhstan, with the USA a leading exporter of both birdseed-grade seed and high-oleic safflower oil. India differentiates through its long-standing petal (kusum) trade for natural colour and saffron substitution, alongside high-linoleic oilseed and bird-food-grade seed, all backed by FSSAI compliance and lab-tested residue reporting.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Safflower Seeds & Petals (Carthamus tinctorius / Kusum) |
| Oil Content (seed) | 28–32% (high-linoleic type) |
| Linoleic Acid (oil) | 70–80% (high-linoleic grade) |
| Moisture Content (seed) | 8% Max |
| Purity / Admixture | 98% Min purity / 2% Max admixture |
| FFA (Free Fatty Acid) | 2% Max |
| Foreign Matter | 1% Max (cleaned / sortex) |
| Petal Colour (kusum) | Bright orange-red to deep red |
| Petal Moisture | 10% Max (dried petals) |
| Aflatoxin | Within EU limits (EC 1881/2006) |
| Seed Colour | Creamy white to off-white hull |
| Processing | Machine cleaned, sortex sorted; decorticated kernel and dried petal grades available |
Commercial Grades & Classification
Dried Safflower Petals (Kusum)
Processing: Hand/machine harvested florets, shade/air dried
Colour: Bright orange-red to deep red
Use Case: Natural food colourant, saffron substitute, herbal tea, textile dye
Highest-value grade — multiples of seed price
High-Linoleic Oil-Type Seed
Processing: Cleaned whole seed, crushing grade
Colour: Creamy white hull
Use Case: Heart-healthy high-linoleic safflower oil extraction
+$50–$120/MT over bird-food grade
Decorticated Kernel
Processing: Hull removed, sortex sorted
Colour: Light kernel
Use Case: Bakery, snack and high-oil crushing applications
+$200–$350/MT over whole seed
Bird Food / Feed Grade Seed
Processing: Cleaned whole seed, lower cosmetic spec
Colour: White hull
Use Case: Wild bird food, pet food and feed mixes
Base export benchmark
Indicative FOB Pricing
Prices are indicative. Request a formal quote for contractual pricing.
| Grade | FOB Price (USD/MT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried Safflower Petals (Kusum) | $3,500 – $7,000/MT | Natural colour / saffron-substitute premium grade (indicative Q1 2026) |
| High-Linoleic Oil-Type Seed | $650 – $900/MT | Crushing-grade oilseed (indicative Q1 2026) |
| Bird Food / Feed Grade Seed | $600 – $820/MT | Wild-bird-food and feed grade (indicative Q1 2026) |
Price Influencing Factors
- •Safflower petal (kusum) demand — natural colour and saffron-substitute buyers drive the highest-value grade
- •High-linoleic oil demand from heart-health and cosmetic markets
- •US, Mexican and Kazakh seed supply — sets the global birdseed and oil-type price floor
- •India crop weather in Maharashtra and Karnataka — rabi rainfall affects seed and petal yield
- •Saffron price levels — high saffron prices lift demand for safflower petals as a substitute
- •USD/INR exchange rate — INR depreciation improves Indian FOB competitiveness
India vs USA / Mexico: Safflower Comparison
The USA, Mexico and Kazakhstan dominate global safflower seed and oil supply, with the USA a leading exporter of birdseed-grade seed and high-oleic safflower oil. India differentiates through its traditional dried-petal (kusum) trade for natural colour and saffron substitution, plus high-linoleic oilseed and competitively priced bird-food-grade seed.
| Aspect | 🇮🇳 India | 🌏 USA / Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Petal (Kusum) Trade | Long-standing natural-colour & saffron-substitute petal exports | Minimal petal trade — seed/oil focused |
| Oil Type | High-linoleic (heart-healthy PUFA) | Predominantly high-oleic oil |
| Cost Competitiveness | Competitive seed & labour-intensive petals | Mechanised bulk seed supply |
| Heritage & Varietal Range | Ancient continuous cultivation, diverse varieties | Modern hybrid oil-type focus |
| Logistics to Asia/ME | Short transit from west-coast ports | Longer routes to South & SE Asia |
| Organic Availability | NPOP organic seed and petals available | Limited organic petal supply |
Applications & End-Use Markets
🌸
Natural Colour & Saffron Substitute
Dried safflower petals (kusum) are exported as a natural orange-red food colourant and an affordable saffron substitute for rice dishes, sweets, herbal teas and textile dyeing across the Middle East and Asia.
UAEIranSaudi ArabiaUSAGermany
🫒
Heart-Healthy Edible Oil
High-linoleic safflower oil — among the highest polyunsaturated edible oils — is used in heart-health cooking oils, salad dressings and dietary products marketed for cardiovascular wellness.
USAJapanGermanySouth KoreaUAE
💧
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Safflower oil's light texture and high linoleic content make it a popular carrier and emollient in skincare, massage oils, soaps and cosmetic formulations.
USAGermanyFranceJapanUAE
🐦
Bird Food & Feed
White-hulled safflower seed is a premium squirrel-resistant wild-bird-food ingredient and a feed component, valued in pet-food and bird-food packing markets in North America and Europe.
USAUKGermanyNetherlandsCanada
Global Trade Architecture
Primary Supply Origins
USA
Leading global exporterMajor supplier of birdseed-grade seed and high-oleic safflower oil.
Mexico
Major Latin American supplierSignificant safflower seed and oil production for North American demand.
Kazakhstan
Top global producerLarge seed producer feeding Central Asian and export crushing demand.
India
Traditional producer & petal exporterMaharashtra and Karnataka. High-linoleic oilseed plus the distinctive dried-petal (kusum) natural-colour trade.
Key Consumption Nodes
Middle East — UAE, Iran
Strong demand for safflower petals as a natural colour and saffron substitute in rice and sweets.
USA & Japan
Heart-healthy high-linoleic safflower oil and cosmetic-grade oil demand, plus bird-food seed in the USA.
EU — Germany, France
Natural-colour, cosmetic-oil and health-oil demand alongside bird-food seed imports.
South & SE Asia
Edible-oil crushing and herbal/natural-colour demand across India and neighbouring markets.
Market Intelligence
Safflower is a multi-output crop spanning heart-healthy high-linoleic oil, premium natural-colour petals (kusum) and bird-food seed. While the USA, Mexico and Kazakhstan dominate bulk seed and oil supply, India holds a distinctive position through its traditional petal trade and high-linoleic oilseed, serving natural-colour, health-oil and feed buyers.
Market Size
Global safflower seed & oil trade is a specialised oilseed segment of several hundred million dollars; petals (kusum) form a high-value niche within it
Growth Rate
~4–5% CAGR — led by natural colourants, heart-health oils and clean-label demand
Core Demand Drivers
- Natural-colourant and clean-label demand replacing synthetic dyes with safflower petals
- Saffron-substitute demand as kusum petals offer affordable colour and aroma
- Heart-health positioning of high-linoleic safflower oil in dietary and cooking-oil markets
- Cosmetic and personal-care use of light, emollient safflower oil
- Squirrel-resistant wild-bird-food demand for white-hulled safflower seed in North America
Supply Dynamics
Bulk safflower seed and oil supply is concentrated in the USA, Mexico and Kazakhstan, which set the global birdseed and oil-type price floor. India's rabi-season acreage in Maharashtra and Karnataka feeds both an oilseed crush and the labour-intensive petal trade, so Indian pricing reflects the global seed floor plus petal and organic premiums.
⚠ India Risk Factor
Indian safflower acreage has declined over decades as farmers shift to higher-return crops, tightening supply. Petal output is labour-intensive and weather-sensitive, and rabi rainfall in Maharashtra and Karnataka drives yield variability. EU residue (MRL) and aflatoxin compliance are the key food-safety risks for seed and petal exports.
Future Outlook
Growth lies in natural-colour and saffron-substitute petals, organic NPOP seed and petals, and heart-healthy high-linoleic oil for health and cosmetic markets. Indian exporters who secure consistent petal supply, organic certification and residue compliance can capture premium natural-colour and health-oil niches against bulk North American seed.
HS / HSN Codes
| Product Type | HS 6-Digit | ITC-HS 8-Digit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safflower Seeds (Whole) | 1207.60 | 12076010 | Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) seeds, whether or not broken — of seed quality |
| Safflower Seeds (Other) | 1207.60 | 12076090 | Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) seeds — other than of seed quality (bird food / crushing) |
| Safflower Oil (Crude) | 1512.11 | 15121120 | Sunflower-seed or safflower oil and fractions — crude |
| Safflower Oil (Refined) | 1512.19 | 15121920 | Sunflower-seed or safflower oil and fractions — other than crude |
Certifications & Compliance Standards
| Standard | Code / Reference | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI | FSSAI License | Indian food safety compliance for seed cleaning, petal drying and oil processing |
| EU Pesticide MRL | Regulation EC 396/2005 | Multi-residue testing for seed, oil and petal exports to the EU |
| Aflatoxin Limit | Regulation EC 1881/2006 | Mycotoxin control for food-grade seed and petal exports |
| ISO 22000 / HACCP | ISO 22000 | Food safety management certification for export processing units |
| NPOP Organic | NPOP / NOP | Certified organic safflower seed and petals available for clean-label channels |
| Non-GMO | — | Safflower is a heritage oilseed — naturally non-GMO |
Storage, Handling & Logistics
Shelf Life
12 months (seed) under dry storage
Storage Conditions
Cool, dry warehouse below 20°C and 65% RH. Dried petals require especially dry, dark storage to preserve colour intensity and prevent fading or mould.
Container Type
20ft FCL with HDPE liner to prevent moisture ingress; petals in moisture-barrier cartons or vacuum packs
Fumigation
Phosphine fumigation for pest control as required; petals handled in hygienic, low-moisture lines to protect colour.
Storage Advantage
Disciplined drying preserves the bright orange-red petal colour and keeps high-oil seed rancidity-free through ocean transit.
Why Source Safflower from India?
- Traditional dried-petal (kusum) supply for natural colour and saffron substitution
- High-linoleic safflower oil among the highest polyunsaturated edible oils
- Competitive bird-food and oil-type seed from Maharashtra and Karnataka
- FSSAI, ISO 22000 and lab-tested residue/aflatoxin compliance per shipment
- Organic NPOP safflower seed and petals available for clean-label buyers
- Short transit from west-coast ports to the Middle East and Asia
Industrial Usage
Bulk supply for various manufacturing, processing, and distribution sectors. High-purity technical grades available for industrial procurement and technical application.
Standard
Technical Grade
Supply
Bulk Only
Packaging & Logistics
Standard Packaging
Export Standard Cartons / Palletized
Private Label / OEM
Custom Packaging & OEM Support Available
Port of Loading
Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) or Mundra Port
Incoterms
FOB, CIF, CFR accepted
Global Export Reach for Safflower
IndianXporter successfully exports Safflower to major international markets. Click your region below to view destination-specific compliance and shipping details.
Industrial Application Verticals
B2B Solutions
Private Label Safflower
Establish your own brand in the international market. We provide end-to-end custom white-label packaging and branding solutions for retail distribution. Get retail-ready Safflower under your brand name with our expert OEM services.
- Custom pouch, jar & bulk bag design
- Multi-lingual labeling & regulatory compliance
- FSSAI, ISO & FDA certified facilities
- Flexible packaging sizes (100g to 50kg)
Retail Ready
From Design to Delivery
Export Markets
USA UAE Europe South East Asia
We provide market-specific compliance documentation for each destination. Contact us for country-specific certifications.
Importing Safflower: B2B FAQs
What is the lead time for a bulk order of Safflower?
Our standard lead time for Safflower is 7-14 business days from order confirmation to dispatch from an Indian port. For private label orders, allow an additional 5 days for packaging customization.
Can I request a sample of Safflower before placing a full container order?
Yes, we provide 100g to 500g samples of Safflower for quality validation. Sample costs are usually free, with the buyer covering international courier charges (DHL/FedEx).
Which Incoterms do you offer for Safflower?
We primarily quote on FOB (Nhava Sheva/Mundra) or CIF (Destination Port) basis. We can also provide CFR and door-to-door DDP pricing for specific regions upon request.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Safflower?
Our standard MOQ for Safflower is 5 Metric Tons. However, we can accommodate smaller trial orders or mixed container shipments (LCL) for new B2B partners seeking to evaluate our quality.
Do you provide samples and laboratory reports for Safflower?
Yes, we provide pre-shipment samples and comprehensive laboratory testing reports (including pesticide residues, heavy metals, and purity analysis) for Safflower to ensure full compliance with your destination country's regulations.
What are the export logistics and lead times for bulk orders?
We primarily ship through Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) and Mundra ports using FOB, CIF, or CFR terms. Standard lead time for Safflower is 15-25 business days from the receipt of the Advance Payment or confirmed L/C.
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Country-specific compliance, ports and CIF pricing for bulk safflower shipments.
Industrial Applications of Safflower
Industry-grade safflower supply with technical COA and specifications.