Exports (where it shows up in trade stats)
Seabuckthorn itself isn’t separately tracked in Indian export tables; it’s typically shipped under generic headings (oils as “fixed vegetable oils,” juices as “other fruit juices”). Use HS guidance below and confirm with your customs broker.

Quality & specs buyers look for

• Fruit (pulp) oil: Characteristically high palmitoleic acid; Indian Himalayan material shows ~32–53% palmitoleic, with palmitic 25–35%, oleic 8–26%, linoleic 5–16% (species in the Indian Himalaya studied: H. rhamnoides, H. salicifolia, H. tibetana).
  
• Seed oil: High polyunsaturates; linoleic up to ~42% and α-linolenic up to ~39% are repeatedly reported; n-6:n-3 ratio ~1.3:1 is typical in literature.
  
• Bioactives: Tocopherols/tocotrienols and carotenoids are abundant in pulp oil (one Indian Himalaya study reports very high tocols/carotenoids vs. seed oil). Expect GC-FID fatty-acid profile, peroxide value, acid value, and heavy metals on CoA.
  
• Processed products/know-how: DRDO/DIHAR developed scalable beverage and ingredient tech (marketed under “Leh Berry” by Ladakh outfits and other licensees).
  

India-specific strengths & clusters

• Cold-desert ecotypes (Ladakh; Lahaul–Spiti & Kinnaur in Himachal; Arunachal/NE for H. salicifolia): uniquely high-altitude, UV-stressed berries prized for palmitoleic-rich pulp oil and vitamin-C-rich juice; active R&D & processing nodes in Leh (DIHAR/DRDO) and IHBT-CSIR (CeHAB, Lahaul)
  
• Ladakh value-chain push: UT administration and local bodies run seabuckthorn expansion, buyer–seller meets, and processing initiatives (Nimoo Centre of Excellence; supply-chain forums).
  

Herbal oils (essential & carrier oils)

Exports (FY 2023–24)

• Mint products (menthol, mint oils): 27,659 t; ₹3,439.2 cr; $415.4 m (DGCI&S via Spices Board). India is a global leader.
  
• Spice oils & oleoresins (incl. many essential oils): 18,762 t; ₹4,123.0 cr; $498.0 m.
  
• Castor oil (key herbal carrier oil): FY 2023–24 total 646,702 t; ₹8,055.12 cr; FY 2024–25 (Apr–Mar, prov.) 662,598 t; ₹8,346.99 cr (SEA/DGFT).
  
• Essential oils (HS 3301) overall: ~$657 m (2023) by OEC estimate (use as orientation; cross-check for product-specific deals).

Quality/specs buyers look for (India standards & typical markers)

• India has BIS monographs (national specs) for major essential oils—useful for acceptance criteria & GC markers:
  
  • Palmarosa (IS 526:2007): total alcohols (as geraniol) ≥88.8%; density, refractive index, optical rotation, acid value ≤1, etc. (includes GC identity & adulteration checks).
  • Eucalyptus globulus (IS 328:1992): cineole content standardised; Indian natural oils ~60–63% cineole (70%+ achievable after fractionation); BIS retains ≥60% for natural oil benchmark.
  • BIS lists additional monographs: lemongrass (IS 327), citronella (IS 512), sandalwood (IS 329), mentha arvensis (IS 528), etc. (classification list).
    
• Typical composition checkpoints used in trade:
  
  • Lemongrass oil: citral ~75–80% is a common quality signal for North/NE Indian material.
    
  • Citronella oil: geraniol/citronellal ranges are tracked (India’s agri/NE guidance cites 18–20% geraniol; 5–15% citronellal).
    

India-specific strengths & clusters

• Menthol/mint oils (Indo-Gangetic belt): Uttar Pradesh is the hub (Barabanki–Sitapur–Rampur axis), driven by CSIR-CIMAP varieties & agronomy; India contributes ~80% of global natural menthol/mint products per CSIR.
  
• Aromatic grasses (NE & sub-Himalaya): Lemongrass, citronella, palmarosa expansion led by CSIR-NEIST/NEDFi and state programs; strong smallholder base and diffused distillation capacity.
  
• Eucalyptus (South & hill regions): backed by BIS spec (IS 328) and legacy distillation; widely used in pharma OTC and hygiene categories.
  
• Castor (Gujarat): world’s largest producer/exporter; deep port & processing ecosystem (Kandla/Saurashtra), consistent FOB quoting by SEA.
  

HS codes (working cheat sheet — confirm product-fit with your broker)

• Essential oils: HS 3301 (sub-headings vary by oil: peppermint 3301.24, other mints 3301.25, others under 3301.29, etc.; see India tariff Chapter 33).
  
• Fixed/pressed oils (carrier/nutraceutical): HS 1515 (incl. castor oil 1515.30; many others incl. seabuckthorn/ neem under 1515.90 depending on composition/fraction).
  
• Fruit juices & concentrates (seabuckthorn): usually HS 2009 (“other single-fruit juices”) when sold as juice/retail beverage base; dried berry/tea blends can fall in other headings depending on formulation.
  

Compliance & labeling (India → export)

• Nutraceutical/health-supplement formats (e.g., seabuckthorn softgels, oil capsules): Must comply with FSSAI Health Supplements & Nutraceuticals regulations (ingredient schedules; format & claims).
  
• Fruit juices: Must meet FSS (Food Product Standards) chapter for fruit/veg products; FSSAI also barred “100% fruit juice” claims unless criteria are met (2024 advisories). Factor this into private-label exports.
  

What this means for IndiaUnbox buyers

• Seabuckthorn (India Himalaya) = unique palmitoleic-rich pulp oil and seed-oil PUFA profile, backed by DRDO/IHBT know-how and growing Ladakh/HP clusters. Great for cosmeceuticals, premium nutrition, and functional beverages—but expect niche, project-based volumes and variable harvest windows.
  
• Herbal oils = scale + standards:
  
  • Mint/menthol is India’s volume workhorse with strong export track;
    
  • Castor provides massive, reliable carrier-oil supply (global #1),
    
  • Lemongrass/citronella/palmarosa offer perfumery & hygiene actives with BIS monographs to anchor specs.