Sesame seeds market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

Cameroon's sesame seed production fell from 80 302 tons in 2018 to 70 000 tons by 2021, before stabilizing at that level through 2023. The initial decline was partly offset in 2020 when the launch of a government livestock project increased demand for sesame as an ingredient in animal feed. However, the sector continued to face structural headwinds, including inefficient marketing channels, limited access to finance, and crop damage from pests and grazing livestock, which constrained overall output.

The market's stabilization from 2022 onward was supported by the government's broader agricultural modernization drive, which included farm mechanization and programs to secure arable land. Concurrently, rising global demand for healthy food ingredients created export opportunities for Cameroonian sesame. Yet, growth remained capped by climate-related harvest risks, such as rain damage to grains, and the need for greater investment in local processing to move beyond raw seed exports.

Production sesame seeds in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon ranked 15th globally in sesame seed production.

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Cameroon produced 75,822 tonnes of sesame seeds, marking a modest 4.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 72,649 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 80,302 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 9.5%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 8.5%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Cameroon

Exports in kind, kg

Cameroon's sesame seed exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 41,058 kilograms. This represented a sharp 30.2% reduction compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, exports decreased by 46.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 19.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Turkey, and Nigeria were the primary destinations for Cameroon's sesame seed exports by volume. Vietnam accounted for 45.8% of exports, Turkey for 31.1%, and Nigeria for 13.3%. Together, these three countries represented 90.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, sesame seed deliveries from Cameroon totaled $71,681, a 25.2% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was $95,803 in 2019, which saw the largest increase of 109.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Turkey were the main destinations for Cameroon's sesame seed exports by value. Nigeria accounted for 39.7% of exports, Vietnam for 26.0%, and Turkey for 24.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 90.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Cameroon

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Cameroon imported 1,560 kilograms of sesame seeds, down 12.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 1,359 kilograms. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, falling by 38.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 30.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and India were the primary sources of sesame seed imports to Cameroon by volume. Spain accounted for 37.0% of imports, France for 30.4%, and India for 12.5%. Together, these three countries made up 79.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The span from 2017 to 2020 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.8 times. In 2020, Cameroon's sesame seed imports were recorded at $16,816, representing a sharp 135.4% increase from the prior year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 54.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 249.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, India, and Spain were the three principal markets for sesame seed imports to Cameroon by value, together accounting for 81.2% of total imports.

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

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