Sesame seeds market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seed market in Egypt saw a significant expansion in 2020, with production jumping to 61 400 t and market volume reaching 104 499 t. This surge was driven by agricultural directives from the Alexandria Directorate of Agriculture, which promoted three high-yield sesame varieties with oil content of 55–60% and protein of 15–25%, along with optimized planting windows from mid‑April to end‑May. These measures directly boosted farm productivity and output.

After the 2020 peak, both production and market volume moderated, falling to 53 206 t and 63 190 t in 2021 and further to 39 419 t and 54 131 t by 2023. During this period, authorities continued to emphasize varietal development and tailored irrigation management to improve resilience, while government plans to export high‑yield seeds reflected support for the sector’s long‑term growth. Simultaneously, sesame usage widened in tahini, confectionery, pharmaceuticals and animal feed, sustaining domestic demand.

In value terms, the market rose to 190.8 million US dollars in 2020, then contracted to 113.8 million in 2021 before recovering to 126.5 million in 2022 and stabilizing around 125.6 million in 2023. By 2024, market prices for sesame showed steadiness, with camel‑tail varieties trading between 62 000 and 65 000 EGP per ton, indicating balanced supply‑demand conditions.

Production sesame seeds in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt ranked as the 19th largest producer of sesame seeds globally.

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Egypt's sesame seed production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 61 400 tonnes of sesame seeds, marking a significant 69.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 69.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 35 763 tonnes, which saw a slight decline of 1.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Egypt's sesame seed production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 99 396 thousand US dollars, up 24.4% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 46.7%, translating to an annualized rate of 13.6%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Egypt's sesame seed exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 28 656 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 105.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 261%, with an average annual growth rate of 53.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Japan, and Algeria were the top buyers of Egyptian sesame seeds by volume. Morocco accounted for 39.1% of exports, Japan for 11.9%, and Algeria for 8.5%, together representing 59.6% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Egypt's sesame seed export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 46.4 million US dollars, up 50.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 212.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 46.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Japan, and Algeria remained the leading buyers of Egyptian sesame seeds by value. Morocco held a 39.0% share of export value, Japan 11.8%, and Algeria 8.8%, collectively accounting for 59.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Egypt's sesame seed import volume showed volatility during the observed period. The lowest import level was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 71 755 tonnes, reflecting a 69.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 76.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan was the primary supplier of sesame seeds to Egypt, accounting for 81.0% of total import volume, with the remainder sourced from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Egypt's sesame seed import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 137.8 million US dollars, up 54.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 230.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 49.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan remained the dominant partner for Egypt's sesame seed imports by value, holding an 81.0% share of total imports, while other markets contributed the remaining portion.

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

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