Sesame seeds market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market in ECOWAS showed considerable variation in size from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 609 thousand tonnes in 2018, the market volume contracted to 477 thousand tonnes in 2019 and 426 thousand tonnes in 2020. A more pronounced drop followed in 2021, bringing the market to 284 thousand tonnes. A strong recovery then occurred, with the market expanding to 446 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 606 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Recent market developments are influenced by broader trends and specific investments. Growing global consumer preference for healthy, organic, and plant-based foods continues to drive demand for sesame seeds. Concurrently, significant infrastructure projects, such as the development of a cashew processing industrial park in Tanzania that includes sesame facilities, aim to increase regional processing capacity. Trade dynamics are also evolving, with changes like China's reduced import tariffs and Japan's expedited clearance procedures for sesame seeds from African countries facilitating export flows. Technological advancements, including the use of AI for quality control and innovative methods to extract functional ingredients from by-products, are enhancing production efficiency and product value.

Production sesame seeds in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

ECOWAS's sesame seeds production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, production reached 764 thousand tonnes, marking a 29.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 15.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.5%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 1 087 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.6%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with the highest volume being 2.8 times greater than the lowest. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 342.4 thousand tonnes of sesame seeds, a sharp 44.3% drop from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 615.2 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 75.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, China, and Turkey were the primary destinations for ECOWAS's sesame seed exports, accounting for 59.3% of total export volume. Japan led with 29.8%, followed by China at 20.1%, and Turkey at 9.4%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ECOWAS exported sesame seeds worth 386.9 million US dollars, showing a modest 2.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 48.9%, averaging an annual rise of 14.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 437.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 68.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 13.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Japan, and Turkey dominated the export value of sesame seeds from ECOWAS, collectively representing 53.8% of total flows. China accounted for 21.7%, Japan for 18.5%, and Turkey for 13.6%.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, K t

Import levels showed considerable volatility, fluctuating 7.5 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, ECOWAS imported 4.8 thousand tonnes of sesame seeds, a slight 2.5% decrease from 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 10.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 646.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 53.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon and Chad were the main sources of sesame seed imports for ECOWAS, together accounting for 19.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS imported sesame seeds valued at 9.4 million US dollars, a substantial 150.4% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 28.7% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Cameroon, Chad, and Poland formed the core group of markets for sesame seed imports by value, together representing 23.2% of total flows. Cameroon led with 15.4%, followed by Chad at 6.7%, and Poland at 1.2%.

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

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