Sesame oil and fractions market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Uganda's sesame oil production gradually declined from 34 000 metric tons to 32 200 metric tons, leading to a corresponding decrease in market volume over the same period.

Production stabilized around 32 300 metric tons in 2022 and 2023. This plateau occurred alongside rising demand for sesame oil in local and international markets, but output growth was limited by inefficient manual harvesting and traditional extraction methods. The industry's continued focus on exporting sesame grain rather than developing refined oil production further constrained expansion in the oil segment.

The market context included initiatives like the Vegetable Oil Development Project to strengthen the oilseeds value chain and shifting consumer preferences toward natural, chemical-free oils. Persistent challenges such as pests, declining soil fertility, and the need to comply with international food safety standards for exports continued to influence the production environment.

Production sesame oil and fractions in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda ranked eighth globally in the production 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

Uganda's production of sesame oil and fractions declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 32 500 tonnes, marking a 2.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.7%, averaging an annual decline of 0.9%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 34 000 tonnes. The largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019 at 2.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 1.8%.

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

Exports sesame oil and fractions from Uganda

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The highest export volume was in 2017, while the lowest was in 2020, with a staggering 5 253-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uganda's exports of sesame oil and fractions amounted to just 16 kilograms, representing a 99.3% decline from the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 99.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 475.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda's sesame oil and fractions exports were almost entirely directed to China, which accounted for 93.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Export values experienced notable volatility over these years. The peak was in 2017, and the trough in 2020, with an 893-fold gap between them. In 2020, the value of sesame oil and fractions shipments from Uganda stood at 106 US dollars, indicating a 99.2% decrease compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 576.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Canada dominated the export value structure for Uganda's sesame oil and fractions, jointly representing 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sesame oil and fractions to Uganda

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes were volatile during this period. The peak occurred in 2018, and the trough in 2020, with a 5.7-fold difference. In 2020, Uganda imported 6 022 kilograms of sesame oil and fractions, showing a sharp 43.0% drop from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 34 140 kilograms. The largest decline was in 2019 at 69.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 154.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary source for Uganda's sesame oil and fractions imports, accounting for 81.0% of total volumes, with other markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Uganda's import value of sesame oil and fractions declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 573 US dollars, which is 29.3% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 881 US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 56.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import value structure was heavily concentrated on China and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for 94.9% of total flows, with other partners contributing minimally.

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

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