Sesame oil and fractions market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame oil market in Saudi Arabia expanded sharply in 2019, with volume reaching 35 816 t, a rise supported by initiatives to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises in the traditional pressing sector, which increased production capacity. This growth was followed by a contraction to 25 701 t in 2020, a period that saw the rollout of hydraulic pressing technologies under a sustainable rural development program, enhancing processing productivity by 25%.

Market evolution continued with the entry of new producers in 2021 focusing on organic and virgin sesame oil from domestic and imported seeds, alongside a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier, natural products that spurred offerings like cold-pressed oil. Nevertheless, total market volume kept declining, falling to 20 242 t in 2022, even as investment flowed into modern pressing facilities aimed at long-term efficiency gains.

A robust recovery lifted the market to 27 976 t in 2023, fueled by concrete government backing exemplified by the Jazan Chamber's economic study for a large-scale sesame oil and tahini project, coupled with the expansion of production lines and the wider use of advanced pressing techniques.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked as the world's ninth-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

Following two years of growth, Saudi Arabia's production of sesame oil and fractions declined. In 2020, the country produced 24 316 tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 31.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall increased by 11.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 35 232 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 43.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 40-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia exported 208 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, representing a dramatic surge of 2,768.4% from the previous year. The minimum export volume was 5 tonnes in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 94.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia's exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Yemen, which accounted for 88.6% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. From 2017 to 2018, there was a peak-to-trough amplitude of 13.4 times. In 2020, sesame oil and fractions exports from Saudi Arabia totaled 389 thousand US dollars, up by 774.3% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 30 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 92.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen was the primary destination for Saudi Arabia's sesame oil and fractions in value terms, accounting for 86.0% of total exports, while other destinations were considerably less significant.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2018 and hit their maximum in 2020, with a 3.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia imported 1 594 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, which is 169.5% higher year-on-year. The minimum import volume was 422 tonnes in 2018, which also recorded the largest decline of 67.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Yemen (48.3% of imports in kind), Sudan (21.9%), and India (10.2%) were the key sources for imports in kind, together representing 80.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of sesame oil and fractions to Saudi Arabia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 3 926 thousand US dollars, up by 29.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 097 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 39.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 44.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Yemen (43.7% of imports in value terms), Sudan (16.2%), and India (12.8%) led as the top suppliers of sesame oil and fractions to Saudi Arabia, with their combined share reaching 72.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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