Black Seed
Black seed oil is pressed from the seed of Nigella sativa, an annual flowering plant grown across North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. The seed is small, angular and black, with a sharp peppery aroma. The oil is taken as a supplement, used in traditional medicine across the Islamic world and the Indian subcontinent, blended into skincare and haircare, and used in small quantities as a culinary condiment. The whole seed is also sold as a spice for bread and pickles.
Listed black seed markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Black seed oil is graded on the pressing route and on thymoquinone content, which is the active marker the whole trade contracts against, alongside the standard acidity and oxidation figures.
Processing route and form
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cold pressedMechanically pressed with the press outlet held below a stated temperature | Temperature is a contract term, not an adjective. It preserves the minor components and the flavour, and it costs yield. |
| Expeller pressedMechanically pressed without a declared temperature ceiling | Higher yield, darker oil, higher free fatty acids. |
| Solvent extractedHexane extraction of the seed or of the press cake | The highest yield route. Residual solvent is a contract and regulatory term. |
| Supercritical carbon dioxide extractedExtracted with CO2 under stated pressure and temperature | A solvent free route that gives a different minor component profile. Contracted separately. |
| Virgin, unrefinedNo refining step after pressing | The standard supplement and cosmetic grade. |
| Refined, bleached and deodorisedFully refined by the stated route, chemical or physical | A neutral oil. Colour, flavour and free fatty acids are removed, and so are most of the minor components. |
| FiltrationDeclared: unfiltered, filtered to a stated micron rating, or winterised | Determines clarity and behaviour at low temperature. |
| OrganicCertified under the destination market scheme, with dedicated pressing | Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number, because the press line has to be documented as well as the crop. |
| Seed originDeclared, with the growing region named | Egyptian, Ethiopian, Indian and Turkish seed differ in aroma and in thymoquinone level, and they are priced differently. |
Quality and condition
15 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| ThymoquinonePercentage by mass, or milligrams per gram, by HPLC | The characteristic active constituent of Nigella sativa and the figure the supplement trade buys on. It degrades with heat and light, which is why the pressing route and the packing are contract terms. |
| Total volatile oilPercentage by volume per mass | Determined by hydrodistillation. Carries the aroma. |
| Free fatty acidsPercentage, expressed as the stated reference acid | Determined by ISO 660. The controlling commercial figure. It rises with poor fruit or seed, slow processing and wet storage. |
| Peroxide valueMilliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram | Determined by ISO 3960. Measures oxidation already under way. |
| Anisidine valueDimensionless, by the standard method | Determined by ISO 6885. Measures secondary oxidation, which peroxide value alone will miss in an oil that has already turned over. |
| TotoxTwice the peroxide value plus the anisidine value | The combined oxidation term, where a buyer contracts one number. |
| Moisture and volatile matterMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 662. |
| Insoluble impuritiesMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 663. |
| ColourLovibond red and yellow in a stated cell length, or a stated instrumental scale | Measured, not described. |
| Iodine valueGrams of iodine per 100 grams | Determined by ISO 3961. Measures unsaturation, and with it drying behaviour and oxidative stability. |
| Saponification valueMilligrams of potassium hydroxide per gram | Determined by ISO 3657. An identity figure. |
| Unsaponifiable matterMaximum percentage by mass | The fraction that is not fatty acid. Carries the sterols, tocopherols and the value in the cosmetic trade. |
| Refractive indexAt a stated temperature | A fast identity and adulteration check. |
| Soap contentMilligrams per kilogram | Applies to refined oil. Residue from neutralisation. |
| PhosphorusMilligrams per kilogram | The measure of residual gums. Governs whether the oil will behave in downstream processing. |
Composition and authenticity
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Nigellone and related thymoquinone derivativesBy HPLC, reported individually | Reported alongside thymoquinone where the buyer specifies an actives profile. |
| Fatty acid profilePercentage of each fatty acid by gas chromatography of the methyl esters | Determined by ISO 12966. The fingerprint of the oil and the first authenticity check. |
| Sterol compositionPercentage of each sterol and total sterol content | Determined by ISO 12228. Detects blending with a cheaper oil that shares a similar fatty acid profile. |
| Tocopherols and tocotrienolsMilligrams per kilogram, by HPLC | The natural antioxidant content. Governs shelf life and is a value term in cosmetics. |
| Triacylglycerol compositionBy HPLC, reported as the distribution | A second authenticity layer, because it is far harder to counterfeit than a fatty acid profile. |
Contaminants
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsMicrograms per kilogram, benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of four | Comes from direct fire drying and smoke contact at origin. Tested against destination market limits. |
| 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl estersMicrograms per kilogram | Formed at high refining temperatures. Applies to refined oil. |
| Mineral oil hydrocarbonsMilligrams per kilogram, MOSH and MOAH | Comes from lubricants, jute bags and transport. Tested where the destination market requires it. |
| Solvent residueMilligrams per kilogram of hexane | Applies to solvent extracted oil. |
| Pesticide residuesMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market maximum residue limits. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram | Lead, arsenic, cadmium, iron and copper. Iron and copper matter twice over, because they catalyse oxidation in the drum. |
| Dioxins and PCBsPicograms of toxic equivalent per gram of fat | Tested where the destination market requires it. |
| AflatoxinsMicrograms per kilogram | Applies where the oilseed or kernel carries a mould risk before pressing. |
Certification and packing claims
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| OrganicCertificate under the destination market scheme | EU, NOP, JAS or an equivalence arrangement. Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Fairtrade, Fair for Life or equivalentCertificate and transaction certificate | Named scheme, with the transaction certificate issued for the specific lot. |
| Kosher and HalalCertificate from the named authority | Certificate travels with the lot. |
| Food grade or cosmetic gradeDeclared, with the corresponding specification | Determines the applicable limits and the packing. |
| Non GMODeclaration, with PCR testing on the source material where required | Applies where the crop has a genetically modified counterpart. |
| Chain of custodyDocumented from harvest to press to drum | Evidenced at every transfer where the lot carries an origin or a community claim. |
| PackingDeclared: flexitank, ISO tank, drum, jerrycan or IBC, with liner and headspace treatment | Nitrogen blanketing and liner type are contract terms, because they decide what the peroxide value looks like on arrival, not on shipment. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Africa | Origin |
| India | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Ethiopia | Africa | Origin |
| Syria | Middle East | Origin |
| Iran | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Jordan | Middle East | Destination |
| Morocco | Africa | Origin and destination |
| Tunisia | Africa | Origin and destination |
| Sudan | Africa | Origin |
| Bangladesh | South Asia | Destination |
| Indonesia | Southeast Asia | Destination |
| Malaysia | Southeast Asia | Destination |
| United States | North America | Destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Poland | Europe | Destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| Spain | Europe | Destination |
| Russia | Europe | Destination |
| Kazakhstan | Central Asia | Destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Destination |
| South Africa | Africa | Destination |
| Nigeria | Africa | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Jun, arrival Jun to AugMiddle and Upper Egypt. The reference origin for aroma and for thymoquinone level. | |||||||
| Ethiopia | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest Nov to Jan, arrival Jan to MarHighland zones. Large volume seed origin. | |||||||
| India | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Mar to Apr, arrival Apr to JunRabi crop in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. | ||||||||
| Turkiye | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovAfyon, Burdur and Isparta. | ||||||||
| Syria | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Jul, arrival Aug to OctTraditional origin, supply subject to conditions on the ground. | |||||||
| Pakistan | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Mar to Apr, arrival May to JulPunjab and Sindh. | |||||||
| Sudan | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest Nov to Jan, arrival Jan to MarIrrigated Nile schemes. | |||||||
| Iran | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Aug, arrival Sep to OctKhorasan and central provinces. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for black seed. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading1515.90 Other fixed vegetable oils, including black seed (Nigella sativa) oil
1207.99 Nigella sativa seed - PackingFlexitanks of 20 t to 24 t, IBCs of 1000 litres, or 190 kg lacquer lined steel drums. Butters and solid fats in 25 kg cartons or 200 kg drums. Nitrogen blanket for oils that oxidise.
- Container loading20ft: one flexitank at 20 t to 24 t, or 80 drums at roughly 15 t. Heated stow or heating coils where the fat solidifies below deck temperature.
- Contract and arbitrationFOSFA contracts with FOSFA arbitration in London, or NIOP trading rules for United States trade. Free fatty acid, moisture and impurities, peroxide value and colour are the operative quality clauses, established on FOSFA analysis methods.
- Destination limitsEU limits on 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in refined oils and erucic acid limits under Regulation 2023/915, pesticide MRLs under Regulation 396/2005, and novel food authorisation under Regulation 2015/2283 for oils without a pre-1997 EU history of consumption. US FDA food additive and GRAS status applies.
Common questions
What grades of black seed does SIP Global trade?
We quote 44 published grades of black seed, including Cold pressed - Mechanically pressed with the press outlet held below a stated temperature, Expeller pressed - Mechanically pressed without a declared temperature ceiling, Solvent extracted - Hexane extraction of the seed or of the press cake, Supercritical carbon dioxide extracted - Extracted with CO2 under stated pressure and temperature, Virgin, unrefined - No refining step after pressing and Refined, bleached and deodorised - Fully refined by the stated route, chemical or physical. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is black seed graded?
Black seed oil is graded on the pressing route and on thymoquinone content, which is the active marker the whole trade contracts against, alongside the standard acidity and oxidation figures. Grading runs on 5 systems: Processing route and form, Quality and condition, Composition and authenticity, Contaminants and Certification and packing claims.
Where does SIP Global trade black seed?
We trade black seed in Egypt, India, Turkiye, Ethiopia, Syria, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and 22 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is black seed harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Egypt: harvest apr to jun, arrival jun to aug; Ethiopia: harvest nov to jan, arrival jan to mar; India: harvest mar to apr, arrival apr to jun; Turkiye: harvest aug to sep, arrival sep to nov; Syria: harvest jun to jul, arrival aug to oct. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for black seed?
Black seed is normally classified under HS 1515.90 (other fixed vegetable oils, including black seed (nigella sativa) oil) and HS 1207.99 (nigella sativa seed). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for black seed?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed black seed market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- Codex AlimentariusFAO and WHO food standards
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.