Sesame oil and fractions market in Southern Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame oil market in Southern Africa showed significant variability from 2018 to 2023. Market volume began at 795.8 tons in 2018, then fell to 719.2 tons in 2019 and 692.7 tons in 2020. A strong rebound followed in 2021, lifting the market to 919.0 tons. Volume then stabilized near 907.1 tons in 2022 before contracting sharply to 733.0 tons in 2023.

Regulatory updates in 2023 directly affected market conditions. New food labeling regulations published in April required changes to how additives are declared on sesame oil packaging, while amended food safety laws set stricter maximum limits for pesticide residues. These changes likely increased compliance costs and temporarily disrupted supply, contributing to the market's decline that year.

In 2024, the regulatory environment evolved further with a ban on certain hazardous pesticides used in agriculture from June, potentially affecting sesame seed supply. Concurrently, rising consumer demand for organic and natural products spurred several local brands to launch new cold-pressed and organic sesame oil lines, indicating growth in premium market segments.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Southern 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

In 2020, Southern Africa produced 552.2 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, marking a significant 20.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 27.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 11.0%.

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

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.8 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sesame oil and fractions from Southern Africa totalled 13.5 tonnes, representing an 87.1% decrease from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 104.4 tonnes, with the largest increase that year reaching 143.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (4.9% of exports in kind), Kenya (1.3%), and Zimbabwe (0.9%) were the principal buyers of sesame oil and fractions from Southern Africa, collectively accounting for 7.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. From the low in 2020 to the high in 2018, volumes varied by 12.5 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sesame oil and fractions from Southern Africa amounted to 86 thousand US dollars, down 72.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 071 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 344.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (4.2% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (1.9%), and Kenya (1.3%) were important buyers of sesame oil and fractions from Southern Africa. However, their combined share reached only 7.3% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining 92.7% distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, sesame oil and fractions deliveries to Southern Africa came to 153.9 tonnes, which is 21.7% higher year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 126.5 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 210.9 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 44.7%.

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

The country composition of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. China (10.9% of imports in kind), Singapore (7.3%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (6.0%) together formed just 24.2% of total flows, with the remaining 75.8% split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the volume of sesame oil and fractions imports to Southern Africa totalled 482 thousand US dollars, up 5.6% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 456 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 619 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 26.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 22.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore (18.2% of imports in value terms), Thailand (11.4%), and Mexico (7.1%) were the largest but not dominant suppliers of sesame oil and fractions to Southern Africa. Together, they accounted for 36.8% of total imports in value terms, against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

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