Sesame oil and fractions market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sesame oil and fractions in Sub-Saharan Africa contracted from 224.9 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 155.7 thousand tonnes in 2022. This decline was intensified in 2020 when border closures and trade slowdowns from COVID-19 measures disrupted the sesame supply chain across West Africa. Although earlier agricultural initiatives, like the distribution of motorized oil presses and improved seeds, had supported production, the overall market volume fell during this period.

A rebound occurred in 2023, with the market size recovering to 187.0 thousand tonnes. This turnaround was fueled by strong international demand, particularly for Nigerian sesame, where production reached 581 thousand tonnes, creating a lucrative export outlet. The momentum continued into 2024, marked by a $20 million investment to support sesame processing operations in Nigeria and a focus on quality and traceability in Burkina Faso, signaling a shift toward greater local value addition and export growth.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

Sub-Saharan Africa's sesame oil and fractions production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 190.6 K t, marking a 9.4% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's sesame oil and fractions production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 205.7 M $ US, reflecting a significant drop of 10.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 37.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 341.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 32.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 12.7-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's sesame oil and fractions exports totaled 16 433 t, which is 54.4% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 19.2%, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 914.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 73.1% 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 Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports varied by a factor of 11.1, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2018. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 17 732 K $ US of sesame oil and fractions, which is 52.1% more than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 970 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 38.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1 012.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China remained the dominant partner for exports in value terms of sesame oil and fractions from Sub-Saharan Africa, holding a 70.8% share of total flows, with other markets comprising the rest.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign sesame oil and fractions supplies to Sub-Saharan Africa reached 717 t, showing a dramatic rise of 54.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 43.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 465 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China (22.6% of imports in kind), Portugal (18.3% of imports in kind), and Lebanon (12.5% of imports in kind) were the key partners for imports in kind, together accounting for 53.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, sesame oil and fractions imports to Sub-Saharan Africa increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 462 K $ US, reflecting a dramatic rise of 39.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 16.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 049 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring that year at 10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sesame oil and fractions were supplied to Sub-Saharan Africa from a diverse set of markets: China (21.3% of imports in value terms), Portugal (12.4% of imports in value terms), and Singapore (9.4% of imports in value terms) together accounted for 43.1% of total imports in value terms, while many smaller destinations made up the remaining 56.9%.

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

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