Sesame oil and fractions market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame oil market in Thailand saw its volume expand to 5 375 tonnes in 2019, coinciding with a period of broader economic recovery which increased demand for edible oils. This growth was interrupted in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic reduced economic activity and consumer spending, leading to a contraction in market volume to 5 245 tonnes.

Market value recovered in 2021 amid rising global oil prices linked to broader economic rebound, even as physical volume declined further to 4 962 tonnes. The following year, geopolitical tensions including the Russia-Ukraine war triggered a sharp rise in crude oil prices, increasing production and logistics costs. This contributed to market volume stabilizing at 4 972 tonnes in 2022, while the market's value in monetary terms contracted due to these cost pressures.

By 2023, the market volume had recovered to 5 133 tonnes, supported by rising imports which continued to grow, reaching 980 tonnes in 2024, indicating sustained domestic demand for sesame oil.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Thailand was among the world's leading producers of sesame oil and fractions from 2017 to 2020, ranking 29th globally by production volume.

Top producers of sesame oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Thailand produced 4 900 tonnes of sesame oil and fractions, marking a modest decline of 5.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 200 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 4.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of sesame oil and fractions in Thailand was valued at 35 821 thousand US dollars, down by 11.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 32 218 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 40 283 thousand US dollars, accompanied by the largest annual increase of 25.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 12.6 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 483.3 tonnes, representing a 38-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Thailand's export volume of sesame oil and fractions stood at 483.3 tonnes, reflecting a sharp rise of 3 736.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 97.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the United States, Cambodia, and Sweden—together accounted for 67.9% of Thailand's total exports of sesame oil and fractions by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 98 thousand US dollars and reached their highest in 2020 at 3 533 thousand US dollars, showing a 36-fold gap. In 2020, Thailand exported sesame oil and fractions worth 3 533 thousand US dollars, marking an increase of 3 520.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 96.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States (28.3% of exports by value), Cambodia (20.9%), and Sweden (16.3%) formed the core of Thailand's exports of sesame oil and fractions, together taking 65.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 187.9 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 828.3 tonnes, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Thailand's imports of sesame oil and fractions stood at 828.3 tonnes, which is 340.8% higher year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 69.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore (51.3% of imports by volume), Malaysia (27.3%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (8.4%) led the ranking of suppliers of sesame oil and fractions to Thailand, with their combined share reaching 87.1% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2019 at 885 thousand US dollars and highest in 2020 at 3 309 thousand US dollars, varying 3.7 times between these years. In 2020, Thailand's imports of sesame oil and fractions amounted to 3 309 thousand US dollars, marking an abrupt gain of 274.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 61.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Singapore (39.9% of imports by value), Japan (16.6%), and China (16.6%) remained the main sources for Thailand's imports of sesame oil and fractions, jointly accounting for 73.0% of total flows.

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

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