Sesame seeds market in Angola

Earlier Report Observations

The Angolan sesame seed market began a gradual expansion from 2018, supported by early initiatives to develop domestic seed production. The successful commercial multiplication of the first hybrid seeds at the Hampata farm in 2018, alongside a $10 million private investment project in Chibia focused on seed propagation, marked a technological advance. These efforts, though initially constrained by manual farming practices and low mechanization, laid a foundation for increased agricultural output, contributing to a rise in market volume from 3 204 t in 2018 to 3 220 t in 2020.

Growth accelerated from 2021 as government policy and new market entrants directly stimulated production. The Ministry of Agriculture's collaboration with the private sector to distribute seeds and tools, under programs like PRODESI and the National Agro-Livestock Development Plan, provided critical support. This period saw the opening of new national companies dedicated to producing seeds adapted to Angola's climate, aiming to reduce import dependency. The launch of the National Grain Production Promotion Plan in 2022 further encouraged diversification and scale, with companies like Jardins da Yoba expanding seed production in the southern region. These drivers pushed the sesame seed market volume to a peak of 3 289 t in 2021, with a slight stabilization to 3 284 t in 2022 amid rising prices for seeds and fertilizers.

By 2023-2024, the market reached higher production levels, reinforced by improved seed varieties and regulatory updates. The Agricultural Experimental Station in Namibe intensified output of drought-resistant seeds, while updated phytosanitary legislation aligned Angola with international standards, strengthening quality control. The opening of international markets for sesame stimulated local production interest and export potential. Although high input costs remained a challenge, market volume grew to 3 304 t in 2023, with imports rising to 54 t in 2024, reflecting continued market development and external demand.

Production sesame seeds in Angola

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Sesame seed production in Angola has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Angola produced 3 203 tonnes of sesame seeds, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to 2019.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Angola

Market data analysis reveals that Angola did not export any sesame seeds from 2017 to 2020.

Imports sesame seeds to Angola

Imports in kind, kg

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 16 517 kg, marking a sharp decline of 33.6% compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 35 634 kg, representing a 108.4% increase from the prior year. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 2.2 between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal and China were the primary sources for Angola's sesame seed imports, accounting for 88.4% of total volume. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Imports in value terms reached their lowest in 2020 at 13 766 US dollars, a sharp decline of 48.0% year-on-year. The highest value was recorded in 2017, with imports varying by a factor of 3 between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 13.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal (59.2% of import value), China (20.2%), and Lebanon (11.2%) dominated the structure of sesame seed imports by value, collectively representing 90.6% of total flows.

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

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