Sesame seeds market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Ethiopia's sesame seed market volume showed considerable fluctuation, starting at 242 thousand tonnes in 2018 and peaking at 300 thousand tonnes in 2019. After a contraction in 2020, the market recovered to 308 thousand tonnes in 2021 before another decline the following year.

The market volume dropped to 241 thousand tonnes in 2022, a period marked by weather-related risks such as floods and droughts that significantly reduced domestic sesame crop yields. This decline in production directly constrained the supply available for the local market.

A strong rebound occurred in 2023, with market volume surging to 322 thousand tonnes and its value exceeding 607 million US dollars, indicating a recovery in both supply and demand.

Production sesame seeds in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked fifth globally in sesame seed production.

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's sesame seed production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 496.0 K t of sesame seeds, showing minimal change from 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 434.0 K t, which marked the largest decline of 12.0%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 14.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Ethiopia's sesame seed production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 726.9 M $ US, reflecting a moderate decrease of 9.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 802.9 M $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 26.2%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, K t

Sesame seed exports from Ethiopia increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 247.5 K t, a 27.4% rise from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 192.2 K t, which saw the largest decline of 38.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary destinations for Ethiopia's sesame seed exports, accounting for 65.7% of total export volume. China led with 28.8%, followed by Israel at 23.3%, and the United Arab Emirates at 13.6%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Ethiopia's sesame seed export value continued to grow for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 362.7 M $ US, a solid increase of 15.0% compared to 2019. Despite this, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 281.6 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 25.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, China, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates remained the top buyers of Ethiopian sesame seeds by value, collectively representing 64.7% of total exports. China accounted for 26.7%, Israel for 23.7%, and the United Arab Emirates for 14.3%.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, K t

The market for sesame seed imports into Ethiopia showed significant fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 99-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 0.0 K t, a 35.8% drop from the previous year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 0.0 K t, which saw the largest increase of 9 836.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 90.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia's sesame seed imports came from a diverse range of markets. Even the largest suppliers—China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates—collectively represented only 37.1% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import values bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 86-fold difference. In 2020, Ethiopia imported 0.0 M $ US of sesame seeds, a 32.4% decrease from 2019. The highest value was in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US, which recorded the largest increase of 8 524.0%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 93.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China dominated Ethiopia's sesame seed imports by value, accounting for 70.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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