Market research

Sesame seeds market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, sesame seed production in Somalia first rose but then dropped sharply, with market volume falling from 1 295 thousand tons to 740 thousand tons. The severe decline in 2020 was primarily driven by conflict and drought, which significantly reduced cereal and cash crop output. Underdeveloped markets, poor value addition, and limited access to quality inputs like seeds and fertilizers further constrained production and domestic availability.

Market volume then fluctuated, reaching 842 thousand tons in 2021 partly due to strategies focusing on export corridor development and climate-resilient infrastructure. However, in 2022, volume fell to 661 thousand tons as farmers faced major constraints, including limited access to fertilizers, herbicides, and seed preservation facilities. By 2023, despite ongoing challenges from unpredictable weather and conflict, efforts to strengthen market linkages and build resilience in the value chain helped the market recover to 825 thousand tons.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sesame seeds in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Eastern Africa produced 1 636 K t of sesame seeds, marking the highest output during this period. However, production declined to 1 214 K t in 2020, representing a 25.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 22.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.2%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 7.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.7%)	7.2%	(25.8%)	(8.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, sesame seed production in Eastern Africa experienced a downturn. In 2019, the value of sesame seed output peaked at 2 567 M $ US. By 2020, this figure had dropped to 1 597 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 37.8% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the total value of production decreased by 11.1%, averaging an annualized reduction of 3.8%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when production value rose by 21.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.7%	17.5%	(37.8%)	(3.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sesame seeds from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Sesame seed exports from Eastern Africa continued to grow for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 233.1 K t, which represented a 44.5% decline from the previous year. However, exports rebounded sharply in 2019, increasing by 65.9% to reach a higher volume. By 2020, exports had climbed to 476.2 K t, showing a solid 23.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(44.5%)	65.9%	23.1%	4.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary destinations for sesame seed exports from Eastern Africa in terms of volume. China accounted for 46.1% of these exports, Israel for 14.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented 69.6% of all sesame seed export flows from the region during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market for sesame seeds from Eastern Africa showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, export value hit its lowest point at 333.7 M $ US, marking a 30.6% decrease from the previous year. The following year saw a dramatic recovery, with export value surging by 81.9% to reach a higher level. By 2020, exports had reached 626.4 M $ US, reflecting a modest 3.2% increase compared to 2019. The gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 1.9-fold.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(30.6%)	81.9%	3.2%	9.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading markets for sesame seed exports from Eastern Africa in value terms. China absorbed 42.0% of export value, Israel 15.7%, and the United Arab Emirates 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.3% of total export value, establishing them as the main destinations for Eastern Africa's sesame seed exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sesame seeds to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Sesame seed imports into Eastern Africa displayed significant fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. In 2019, imports reached their lowest volume at just 0.6 K t, representing a sharp 74.1% decline from the previous year. However, imports rebounded dramatically in 2020, soaring to 2.8 K t—a remarkable 345.1% increase compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2017, creating an 8.2-fold difference between the peak that year and the trough in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(52.9%)	(74.1%)	345.1%	(18.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, India, Sudan, and the United States were the leading sources of sesame seed imports into Eastern Africa by volume. India supplied 4.2% of imports, Sudan 1.1%, and the United States 0.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 6.0% of total import flows, with the remaining 94.0% coming from various other nations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market for sesame seeds into Eastern Africa exhibited considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, import value declined by 44.7% from the previous year. The following year, 2019, saw imports reach their lowest point at 2.6 M $ US. However, 2020 brought a sharp reversal, with import value jumping to 5.4 M $ US—a substantial 106.9% increase compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2017, creating a 3.3-fold gap between that peak and the 2019 trough.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(44.7%)	(44.4%)	106.9%	(14.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the market for sesame seed imports into Eastern Africa in value terms was highly diversified. India accounted for 7.2% of import value, the United States for 1.2%, and Sudan for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 9.3% of total import flows, with the remaining 90.7% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io