Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is pressed from the seed of Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra or Sinapis alba. It is a staple cooking oil across northern and eastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, where the sharp pungency from allyl isothiocyanate is the point rather than a defect. It is also used for massage, in pickling, in soap and as an industrial lubricant. A refined and deodorised form with the pungency stripped out trades separately, and some destination markets restrict edible use because of the erucic acid content, so the erucic figure and the intended use are always contract terms.
Listed mustard oil markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Mustard oil is graded on the seed species, the pressing route, the pungency it carries, and the erucic acid content, which is what decides where the oil can legally be sold for food.
Processing route and form
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Kachi ghani, cold pressedTraditionally expelled at low temperature from the whole seed | The pungent unrefined grade of the South Asian food trade. Dark, sharp, high in allyl isothiocyanate. |
| 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. |
| Refined mustard oilRefined, bleached and deodorised | Pungency and much of the colour removed. A different product and a different market. |
| Low erucic acidPressed from a declared low erucic variety, with the figure certified | The grade that can be placed for food in markets that cap erucic acid. |
| BlendedBlended with a named oil at a stated proportion | Declared explicitly, because blending mustard oil is both common and commonly undisclosed. |
| 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 speciesBrassica juncea, Brassica nigra or Sinapis alba, named | The species sets the pungency and the fatty acid profile. |
Quality and condition
15 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Allyl isothiocyanatePercentage by mass, or milligrams per kilogram | The compound that carries the pungency. In the South Asian food trade a high figure is the quality, not a contaminant. In a refined oil it is a residue limit. |
| PungencyAssessed against a sealed reference sample, with the isothiocyanate figure stated | The sensory term, always backed by the instrumental figure. |
| 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
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Erucic acidPercentage of the fatty acid profile | The controlling regulatory figure. Several destination markets cap it for edible use and some prohibit edible sale outright. Always stated, always tested. |
| Argemone oilAbsence, by the nitric acid test and by HPLC for sanguinarine | Adulteration with argemone oil has caused mass poisoning incidents. Absence is tested on every food lot, not assumed. |
| GlucosinolatesMicromoles per gram on the seed | Determines the pungency potential and the feed value of the cake. |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| India | South Asia | Origin |
| Nepal | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Bangladesh | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| China | East Asia | Origin and destination |
| Canada | North America | Origin |
| Ukraine | Europe | Origin |
| Russia | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Kazakhstan | Central Asia | Origin |
| Czechia | Europe | Origin |
| Hungary | Europe | Origin |
| Poland | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Germany | Europe | Origin and destination |
| France | Europe | Origin and destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| Spain | Europe | Destination |
| Belgium | Europe | Origin and destination |
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | North America | Destination |
| Brazil | South America | Destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Origin |
| Myanmar | Southeast Asia | Origin |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Destination |
| Malaysia | Southeast Asia | Destination |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Destination |
| Qatar | Middle East | Destination |
| Kuwait | Middle East | Destination |
| South Africa | Africa | Destination |
| Kenya | Africa | Destination |
| Nigeria | Africa | Destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| South Korea | East Asia | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Apr, arrival Mar to MayRajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Rabi crop, sown after the monsoon and harvested in late winter. | ||||||||
| Canada | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovSaskatchewan and Alberta. Brown, oriental and yellow mustard. The principal condiment seed origin. | ||||||||
| Nepal | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Mar, arrival Mar to MayTerai belt. | ||||||||
| Bangladesh | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jan to Mar, arrival Feb to AprRajshahi and the greater Dhaka division. | ||||||||
| Ukraine | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Aug, arrival Aug to OctSteppe and forest steppe zones. | ||||||||
| Russia | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovVolgograd and the lower Volga. | ||||||||
| Kazakhstan | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to NovNorthern oblasts. | ||||||||
| Czechia | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Aug, arrival Aug to OctA leading European yellow mustard origin. | ||||||||
| Myanmar | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jan to Feb, arrival Mar to AprCentral dry zone. |
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 mustard oil. 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 heading1514.91 Mustard oil, crude
1514.99 Mustard oil, other - 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 mustard oil does SIP Global trade?
We quote 46 published grades of mustard oil, including Kachi ghani, cold pressed - Traditionally expelled at low temperature from the whole seed, Expeller pressed - Mechanically pressed without a declared temperature ceiling, Solvent extracted - Hexane extraction of the seed or of the press cake, Refined mustard oil - Refined, bleached and deodorised, Low erucic acid - Pressed from a declared low erucic variety, with the figure certified and Blended - Blended with a named oil at a stated proportion. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is mustard oil graded?
Mustard oil is graded on the seed species, the pressing route, the pungency it carries, and the erucic acid content, which is what decides where the oil can legally be sold for food. 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 mustard oil?
We trade mustard oil in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Canada, Ukraine and Russia and 28 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is mustard oil harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are India: harvest feb to apr, arrival mar to may; Canada: harvest aug to sep, arrival sep to nov; Nepal: harvest feb to mar, arrival mar to may; Bangladesh: harvest jan to mar, arrival feb to apr; Ukraine: harvest jul to aug, 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 mustard oil?
Mustard oil is normally classified under HS 1514.91 (mustard oil, crude) and HS 1514.99 (mustard oil, other). 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 mustard oil?
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 mustard oil 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.