Sesame oil and fractions market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African sesame oil market saw its volume decline from 250.5 thousand tons in 2018 to a low of 182.9 thousand tons in 2022. This contraction was primarily due to a sustained drop in domestic production, which fell from 263.1 thousand tons to 187.2 thousand tons over those five years.

A rebound occurred in 2023, with production increasing to 214.1 thousand tons and the market size recovering to 213.5 thousand tons. A sharp fall in exports, which decreased from 17.6 thousand tons in 2021 to just 1.7 thousand tons in 2023, contributed significantly to the greater oil supply available domestically that year.

In 2024, the regulatory landscape evolved with South Africa phasing out certain agricultural chemicals, preparing new seed registration rules under the Plant Improvement Act, and updating maximum residue limits for oilseeds. New food labeling requirements for clearer ingredient declaration took effect, while global supply chain disruptions influenced vegetable oil prices. Consumer trends also shifted, showing increased demand for organic and natural sesame oil products.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Africa's sesame oil and fractions production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the continent produced 211.4 thousand tonnes, marking a 9.2% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Africa's sesame oil and fractions production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 236.6 million US dollars, representing a significant 13.0% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 36.5%, averaging an annual decline of 14.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 379.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 1.8% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the steepest decline of 28.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest reached in 2020, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 12.4 times. In 2020, Africa exported 17 060 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, showing a sharp 56.1% increase from 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 17.5%, while 2018 saw the most substantial increase of 866.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China accounted for 71.3% of Africa's total sesame oil and fractions exports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing a swing of 10.4 times between these extremes. In 2020, Africa exported 19 092 thousand US dollars worth of sesame oil and fractions, representing a 49.5% increase from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19 126 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 33.2%, while 2018 saw the most significant increase of 937.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China (67.1% of export value), Japan (9.1%), and France (4.7%) consistently led as the top destinations for Africa's sesame oil and fractions exports by value. Together, these three markets accounted for 80.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Africa imported 780 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, representing a 46.0% increase from 2019. The lowest import volume during the period was recorded in 2019 at 534 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 17.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 28.8%, averaging an annual increase of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China (22.8% of import volume), Portugal (16.1%), and Lebanon (11.7%) were the primary sources for Africa's sesame oil and fractions imports by volume. Together, these three countries supplied 50.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Africa imported 1 793 thousand US dollars worth of sesame oil and fractions in 2020, equivalent to a 23.3% increase from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 454 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 17.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 2.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, Africa's sesame oil and fractions imports came from numerous diverse markets. Even the largest suppliers — China, Portugal, and Lebanon — together represented only 38.2% of total import value, indicating a highly fragmented market structure.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020