Sesame seeds market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the sesame seeds market volume in Bangladesh declined from 23 541 t to 18 852 t. This decrease was primarily driven by adverse weather conditions: in 2018, lower monsoon rains reduced yield per hectare, and in 2019, persistent droughts and irregular rainfall further hampered local production. In 2020, reduced sesame output in India due to droughts and floods affected import availability for Bangladesh, which relies on foreign supply.

Market volume recovered to 20 818 t in 2021 despite ongoing global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth continued in 2022, with the market reaching 24 073 t, supported by rising global demand for sesame seeds driven by health-conscious consumption trends and demand from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In 2023, market volume fell sharply to 16 591 t alongside a significant increase in sesame seed exports from Bangladesh.

Production sesame seeds in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh consistently ranked 23rd globally in sesame seed production volume.

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Bangladesh produced 31 786 tonnes of sesame seeds, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 31 613 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 34 859 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019 at 9.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Bangladesh exported 13 520 tonnes of sesame seeds, marking a strong increase of 19.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of sesame seeds from Bangladesh were China, accounting for 46.2% of exports in volume, Thailand with 23.2%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 12.2%. Together, these three markets represented 81.6% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sesame seed exports from Bangladesh increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 16 145 thousand US dollars, a substantial rise of 14.3% over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 119.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 30.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets for Bangladesh's sesame seed exports in value terms were China, Thailand, and Vietnam, collectively accounting for 79.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of sesame seeds in Bangladesh showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2019 at 238 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2020 at 595 tonnes, representing a 2.5-fold increase. In 2020, imports surged by 146.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 39.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and China were the primary suppliers of sesame seeds to Bangladesh, together holding an 80.3% share of total imports in volume. The remaining imports were fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sesame seed imports into Bangladesh increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, with imports valued at approximately 564 thousand US dollars, a solid advance of 19.0% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 75.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, India was the dominant supplier of sesame seeds to Bangladesh in value terms, accounting for 87.5% of total imports. Other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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