Sesame oil and fractions market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Myanmar's sesame oil market volume gradually declined from 161.3 thousand tons to 152.3 thousand tons. State-owned agricultural enterprises remained dominant, and consumer demand for natural, unrefined oil was steady. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted sesame seed supply chains and caused temporary production slowdowns at state-owned facilities, contributing to the drop in output and market size.

The market contraction continued through 2021 and 2022, with volume falling to 123.1 thousand tons. This occurred alongside notable market developments, including the entry of new private players focusing on organic and value-added oils, the launch of a medium-scale extraction facility, and the emergence of new segments such as nutraceutical and cosmetic applications of sesame oil. These structural changes did not immediately reverse the overall decline in volume during these years.

In 2023, the market rebounded strongly, with volume rising to 148.5 thousand tons. This recovery aligns with the cumulative effect of added production capacity and persistent consumer preference for chemical-free and organic sesame oil products, which have been a consistent trend in the market.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar ranked as the world's third-largest producer of sesame oil and fractions.

Top producers of sesame oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

Myanmar's production of sesame oil and fractions declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 152.8 thousand tonnes, down 1.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.9%.

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

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest level was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a 24-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Myanmar exported 510.9 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, representing a sharp increase of 988.8% compared to 2019. The peak export volume of 539.2 tonnes occurred in 2018. The largest year-on-year decline was 91.3% in 2019, while the biggest increase was 2,321.5% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China dominated Myanmar's sesame oil and fractions exports in volume terms, accounting for 81.7% of the total. Other trading partners held relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values were highly volatile over the timeframe. The lowest value was observed in 2017, with the highest in 2018, showing a 7.3-fold gap. In 2020, Myanmar's sesame oil and fractions exports reached 477.6 thousand US dollars, up 239.3% from the previous year. The maximum value of 661.6 thousand US dollars was recorded in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 78.7%, while the biggest increase was 634.3% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and South Korea were the top buyers of Myanmar's sesame oil and fractions in value terms. China accounted for 48.9% of exports, Vietnam for 28.7%, and South Korea for 17.1%. Together, these three countries represented 94.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The minimum was in 2017, and the maximum in 2020, with an 8.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Myanmar imported 14.3 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, a 393.0% increase from 2019. The largest decline was 64.3% in 2019.

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

During 2017–2020, Singapore was the dominant source for Myanmar's sesame oil and fractions imports in volume terms, making up 85.9% of the total. The remaining imports came from a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest value was in 2017, and the highest in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.7 times. In 2020, Myanmar's imports of sesame oil and fractions amounted to 111.6 thousand US dollars, marking a 459.2% increase over the previous year. The largest decline was 67.3% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore accounted for 89.9% of Myanmar's sesame oil and fractions imports in value terms. The rest was distributed among a broad range of smaller trading partners.

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

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