Sesame seeds market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market in Eastern Asia expanded significantly from 2018 to 2021. This growth was initially supported by a recovery in domestic production in 2018 due to favorable weather conditions, reversing previous damage from abnormal climate patterns. Concurrently, the expansion of Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ) facilitated increased imports, which further boosted total market volume. In 2019, a sharp rise in sesame prices created positive momentum for local farmers and contributed to market value increasing at a faster rate than volume. Although abnormal weather continued to weaken the domestic production base in 2020, lowering self-sufficiency to around 10%, the market's total volume continued to grow, reaching its peak in 2021, sustained by strong import flows and consistent demand from large food manufacturers utilizing roasted sesame powder for oil production.

A shift occurred from 2022, as the market volume began to contract. Rising costs in the food manufacturing sector, driven by higher international grain prices, increased labor expenses, and exchange rate fluctuations, which had been building since 2020, translated into sustained price increases for processed foods. This cost pressure, alongside a rising consumer price index, contributed to softening demand, leading to a decline in market volume in both 2022 and 2023. During this period, domestic production showed tentative signs of recovery in 2023, aided by producers' efforts to adopt full-time farming and form cooperatives. However, this was insufficient to offset the overall market contraction, as import volumes fell significantly.

Production sesame seeds in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's sesame seeds production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 480.0 thousand tons. However, in 2020, it fell to 463.7 thousand tons, marking a 3.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 21.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 16.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's sesame seeds production value experienced two years of gains before dropping. In 2019, it hit a high of 1 067 million US dollars. By 2020, the value decreased to 920 million US dollars, reflecting a 13.8% decline compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, the production value rose by 43.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 12.7%. The largest single-year increase was recorded in 2018, at 32.5%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Sesame seeds exports from Eastern Asia improved for two years before declining. In 2019, export volume peaked at 45 thousand tons. In 2020, it dropped to 43 thousand tons, a 4.1% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 8.5%, with an average annual rate of 2.8%. The most notable increase happened in 2018, with an 8.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Asia's sesame seeds exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—Germany, Vietnam, and Thailand—collectively accounted for just 5.8% of total export volume, highlighting the diversity of the export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sesame seeds exports from Eastern Asia increased for two years before falling. In 2019, the export value reached its highest point at 100 million US dollars. In 2020, it declined to 86 million US dollars, a sharp drop of 14.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 27.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.5%. The largest increase was in 2018, with a 22.9% gain.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms remained highly diversified. The leading markets—Germany (2.7% of total value), Vietnam (1.6%), and Thailand (1.5%)—together made up only 5.8% of total exports. The remaining 94.2% came from a long list of smaller markets, underscoring the broad distribution.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Sesame seeds imports into Eastern Asia grew for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports stood at a lower level, but by 2020, they surged to 1 267 thousand tons, an 18.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 34.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Asia's sesame seeds imports in volume terms came from a broad set of partners. The top three suppliers—Sudan (19.3% of imports), Ethiopia (15.5%), and Niger (13.4%)—collectively represented 48.1% of total flows, indicating a varied import portfolio.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's sesame seeds imports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were at a lower value, and by 2020, they reached 1 728 million US dollars, a modest 4.4% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 66.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, sesame seeds imports into Eastern Asia in value terms were sourced from many different markets. The largest suppliers—Sudan, Ethiopia, and Niger—together accounted for only 46.2% of total import value, demonstrating the diversity of the import structure.

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

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