Sesame oil and fractions market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the sesame oil market in Eastern Asia was shaped by shifting consumer preferences and external shocks. Initially, growing awareness of sesame oil as a healthy food item supported demand. However, in 2019, a shortage of domestic sesame seeds and increasing reliance on imports constrained supply, leading to a contraction in market volume. The situation reversed sharply in 2020 when the COVID‑19 pandemic spurred a home‑cooking trend, significantly boosting consumption. This demand surge was further amplified by the launch of new health‑functional sesame oil variants by major players like CJ CheilJedang.

From 2021 onward, regulatory actions and quality‑focused shifts became prominent drivers. Stricter enforcement against counterfeit sesame oil temporarily reduced the volume of lower‑grade products available. Concurrently, consumer preference increasingly moved toward organic and premium oils, which supported market value even as physical volume experienced modest fluctuations. In 2022, an expansion of tariff‑rate quotas for sesame seed imports alleviated some supply constraints, allowing a partial recovery in volume. By 2023, an antitrust investigation into several leading manufacturers introduced uncertainty, coinciding with a slight dip in market volume, while continued growth in exports and a strong focus on premiumization kept the market’s value on an upward trajectory.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Eastern Asia

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

In 2019, Eastern Asia produced 347.0 K t of sesame oil and fractions, marking the lowest output in recent years with a 3.0% decline. Production then rebounded in 2020, reaching 359.7 K t, which represents a 3.7% increase compared to the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sesame oil and fractions production in Eastern Asia has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 109 M $ US, an 8.2% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 9.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%.

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

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Asia's sesame oil and fractions exports have expanded for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 17 023 t, showing a modest 5.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the leading destination for Eastern Asia's sesame oil and fractions exports in volume terms, accounting for 43.4% of the total. Singapore and Canada each contributed 6.3%, making this group of three countries responsible for 56.0% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Asia's sesame oil and fractions exports have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 99 791 K $ US, a 9.6% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values rose by 24.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Eastern Asia's sesame oil and fractions exports in value terms, representing 51.3% of the total. Canada followed with 7.3%, and Singapore with 4.1%. Together, these three markets accounted for 62.8% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After declining for two years, sesame oil and fractions imports into Eastern Asia increased in 2020. Import volume amounted to 6 344 t, a 19.3% gain from 2019, when it hit its lowest point at 5 319 t with a 28.3% decline. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Asia's imports of sesame oil and fractions in volume terms came from a diverse range of suppliers. Vietnam led with 24.7%, followed by Mexico at 7.8% and Bangladesh at 7.3%. Together, these three countries contributed 39.8% of total imports, with many others holding smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, sesame oil and fractions imports into Eastern Asia were valued at 25 735 K $ US, reflecting an 8.1% increase from 2019, when the value was at its lowest at 23 807 K $ US with a 7.2% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Asia's imports of sesame oil and fractions in value terms showed a balanced partner structure rather than high concentration. Vietnam accounted for 21.8%, Mexico for 9.4%, and Singapore for 4.4%, together representing 35.6% of total flows. The remaining 64.4% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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