Sesame oil and fractions market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame oil and fractions market in Northern Africa opened the period at 25,603 tonnes in 2018. Industry factors pointed to increasing use of sesame oil in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which supported demand. Market volume then contracted over the following two years, declining to 22,249 tonnes in 2019 and 20,245 tonnes in 2020.

A strong recovery took place in 2021, with the market surging 37% to 27,767 tonnes. Volumes then stabilized near 27,000 tonnes, reaching 27,194 tonnes in 2022 and 26,461 tonnes in 2023. By 2023, notable price increases for sesame oil—driven by robust export activity—alongside sustained demand from the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors, where it is used as a carrier oil and in skincare, helped maintain market activity. Consumer shifts toward authentic, traceable, and premium-quality oils further influenced the market landscape.

Across the full 2018‑2023 span, the market exhibited considerable movement, bottoming in 2020 before rebounding sharply. The overall volume in 2023 remained well above the 2020 low, reflecting the role of specialized industrial demand and evolving consumer preferences.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Northern Africa

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

Sesame oil and fractions production in Northern Africa has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 20 810 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 7.4% from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20.1%, with an average annual decline of 7.2%.

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

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Import levels varied significantly, with a low of 74.8 tonnes in 2018 and a high of 626.8 tonnes in 2020, representing an 8.4-fold difference. In 2020, Northern Africa's exports of sesame oil and fractions reached 626.8 tonnes, a sharp increase of 117.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 5.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 284.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of sesame oil and fractions from Northern Africa were Saudi Arabia, accounting for 53.7% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates with 19.0%, and the United Kingdom at 10.6%. Together, these three countries made up 83.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Northern Africa's exports of sesame oil and fractions in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 360 thousand US dollars, up by 22.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 879.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 114.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for exports in value terms were Saudi Arabia, with 49.4% of the total, the United Kingdom at 18.6%, and the United Arab Emirates with 11.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 79.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Sesame oil and fractions imports into Northern Africa have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 62.0 tonnes, down by 12.0% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 40.7%, with an average annual decline of 16.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 109.9 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 36.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier base for sesame oil and fractions to Northern Africa was diverse. China led with 24.3% of imports in kind, followed by the Netherlands at 12.7%, and Canada with 9.0%. Together, these three countries contributed 46.0% of total imports in kind, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of sesame oil and fractions into Northern Africa have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 331 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 18.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.9%, with an average annual decline of 12.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 596 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 31.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 21.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of sesame oil and fractions to Northern Africa in value terms were China, with 22.1% of imports, the Netherlands at 11.9%, and Germany with 11.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 45.1% of total imports, against a backdrop of numerous smaller partners.

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

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