Sesame seeds market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Asian sesame seed market experienced shifts in both volume and value. Government initiatives to train farmers and improve post-harvest handling, noted in 2018, helped sustain production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 weakened food demand, leading to a drop in global sesame prices; this explains the market value decrease to 35 019 million $ despite a physical volume increase to 3 826 thousand tons. In 2021, a reduction in global harvested area limited supply, but growing consumer focus on the nutritional benefits of sesame supported demand, stabilizing market volume at 3 807 thousand tons.

After a contraction in 2022, when market volume fell to 3 528 thousand tons and value dropped to 25 822 million $, a sharp rebound occurred in 2023. Market value surged by 44% to 37 299 million $, primarily driven by a significant rise in international sesame prices. This price increase was fueled by high import dependency, reduced arrivals from key suppliers like Ethiopia and Nigeria, and steady demand, while physical volume also recovered to 3 744 thousand tons. By 2024, the industry focused on quality improvements and supply chain integration through modern agricultural techniques and breeding, with growing demand for convenient, healthy sesame products like oil and paste stimulating processing, and the RCEP agreement reinforcing regional economic ties.

Production sesame seeds in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Sesame seed production in Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Asia produced 2 308 K t of sesame seeds, marking a 5.4% gain over the previous year. Production grew by 5.6% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 124 K t, when output declined by 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, sesame seed production in Asia declined in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 780 M $ US, down by 12.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 470 M $ US, when it surged by 20.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sesame seeds from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia exported 288 K t of sesame seeds, a 37.7% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 44.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with no change in export volumes.

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

The structure of sesame seed exports from Asia in kind was diversified from 2017 to 2020. Asia, not elsewhere specified (4.6% of exports in kind), Germany (1.5%), and Greece (1.3%) together accounted for just 7.4% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sesame seed exports from Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 597 M $ US, showing an uptick of 14.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 63.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sesame seed exports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Asia, not elsewhere specified (3.6% of exports in value terms), Germany (1.7%), and Greece (1.3%) jointly accounted for just 6.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia imported 1 807 K t of sesame seeds, up by 21.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 35.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 11.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for sesame seeds to Asia was broad. Sudan (20.6% of imports in kind), Ethiopia (13.3%), and Nigeria (12.9%) together contributed only 46.9% of total imports in kind, while many other countries had smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sesame seed imports into Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 2 683 M $ US, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 52.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for sesame seeds in value terms. Sudan (20.7% of imports in value terms), Ethiopia (14.2%), and Nigeria (10.3%) together took only 45.2% of total imports, while many smaller partners each accounted for modest individual shares.

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

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