Sesame seeds market in Cambodia

Earlier Report Observations

The Cambodian sesame seeds market experienced a gradual contraction from 2018 to 2023, with total market volume decreasing from 10 913 tons to 9 598 tons. This downward trend was interrupted by a temporary rebound in 2020, when market size recovered to 10 423 tons after a sharp decline the previous year.

Production levels followed a similar volatile pattern, starting at 11 000 tons in 2018 before dropping to 9 600 tons in 2019. Output partially recovered in 2020 and 2021, stabilizing around 10 500 tons, but then eased to 10 000 tons in 2022 and remained at that level through 2023. Trade flows remained minimal compared to domestic production, with exports showing occasional increases, such as a rise to 407 tons in 2023.

After 2021, the market entered a phase of consistent annual declines, reducing volume by over 6% in two years. By 2023, market size had settled below 10 000 tons, reflecting a sustained adjustment from earlier higher levels.

Production sesame seeds in Cambodia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Cambodia's sesame seed production rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 10 534 tonnes of sesame seeds that year, representing a 9.7% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually decreased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 600 tonnes, while the most significant annual decline occurred in 2018 when production fell by 17.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Cambodia's sesame seed production value declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 18 805 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 8.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 24.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.9%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Cambodia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sesame seeds from Cambodia showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 3.7-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low point in 2018. In 2020, Cambodia exported 191.8 tonnes of sesame seeds, representing an 18.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 91.4 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 72.9%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when exports grew by 157.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia (not elsewhere specified) served as the primary and nearly exclusive market for Cambodia's sesame seed exports in volume terms, accounting for 95.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export values showed a 3.4-fold variation between the peak in 2017 and the low point in 2018. In 2020, Cambodia's sesame seed exports were valued at 342.4 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 31.7% decrease compared to 2019. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 184.9 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 70.7%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when export value grew by 171.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia (not elsewhere specified) consistently served as the main market for Cambodia's sesame seed exports in value terms, absorbing 95.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Cambodia

Imports in kind, t

Cambodia's sesame seed import market demonstrated considerable volatility during the observed period. Import volumes varied dramatically, with an 18-fold difference between the high point in 2020 and the low point in 2018. In 2020, Cambodia imported approximately 81.5 tonnes of sesame seeds, representing a remarkable 960.9% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at just 4.6 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 46.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Cambodia's sesame seed imports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 72.8% of total import flows, with the remaining volume distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms showed irregular patterns, indicating a volatile trading environment. Import values exhibited a 16-fold variation between the peak in 2020 and the low point in 2018. In 2020, Cambodia's sesame seed imports were valued at 127.8 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic 1 059.3% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 8.0 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 44.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Cambodia's sesame seed imports in value terms, accounting for 75.9% of total import flows, while the remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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