Sesame oil and fractions market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the European sesame oil market expanded steadily, with volume rising from 42 870 tonnes to 52 234 tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by increasing consumer demand for organic and cold-pressed oils, supported by health and wellness trends. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated demand as consumers sought natural and healthy products. Additionally, the use of sesame oil in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications contributed to market expansion.

In 2022, market volume sharply contracted to 38 465 tonnes, a 26% decline from the previous year. Two key factors explain this drop: the war in Ukraine disrupted global supply chains, affecting raw material availability and prices, and the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) imposed stricter traceability and sustainability requirements, temporarily constraining supply.

The market partially recovered in 2023, reaching 45 532 tonnes, an 18% increase from 2022 but still below the 2021 peak. This rebound reflects a gradual adjustment to the new regulatory environment and easing of some supply chain pressures.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Europe's production of sesame oil and fractions saw a decline of 2.1%. However, by 2020, output rebounded to 37,371 tonnes, marking a 5.0% improvement over the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.7%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Europe's sesame oil and fractions production experienced a decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 218.4 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 253.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.5%. In contrast, 2019 witnessed the most significant decline of 11.7%.

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

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Europe

Exports in kind, t

Exports of sesame oil and fractions from Europe have been rising for three consecutive years. In 2020, shipments reached 9,283 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 42.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 75.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe's exports of sesame oil and fractions in volume terms were not heavily concentrated. The top three destinations—Switzerland (7.2% of exports), the United States (3.5%), and Brazil (1.3%)—together accounted for only 12.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Europe's exports of sesame oil and fractions in value terms have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 54,250 thousand US dollars, representing a 32.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 51.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for Europe's sesame oil and fractions exports in value terms was quite broad. Switzerland (7.4% of exports), the United States (4.5%), and Brazil (1.3%) together made up just 13.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Europe

Imports in kind, t

Imports of sesame oil and fractions into Europe have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 16,740 tonnes, up 8.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 29.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 11,976 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 29.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sesame oil and fractions were imported into Europe from a diverse set of markets. The top three suppliers—Mexico (27.3% of imports), China (10.7%), and India (6.4%)—together accounted for 44.5% of total imports in volume, with the remaining 55.5% coming from numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Europe's imports of sesame oil and fractions in value terms have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 91,380 thousand US dollars, showing a solid advance of 20.8% over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 48.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.0%.

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

The country composition of Europe's imports of sesame oil and fractions in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Mexico (23.5% of imports), China (8.4%), and Singapore (7.1%) together formed just 38.9% of total flows, while the remaining 61.1% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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