Sesame seeds market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market in the GCC region experienced initial growth, with volume rising from 56.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 73.5 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was supported by the 2018 adoption of unified agricultural systems and legislation across member states, which streamlined procedures for importing agricultural goods and facilitated trade flows.

After a contraction to 51.9 thousand tons in 2022, the market rebounded strongly to 73.2 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery coincided with broader advances in the regional agricultural sector, where plant production increased by 3.9%, and with improved intra-regional trade for agricultural products, enhancing market activity.

In 2024, import volumes reached 106.5 thousand tons and exports 22.4 thousand tons, indicating sustained trade momentum. The continued application of unified agricultural standards, including the mandatory system for fertilizers and soil improvers, shapes production quality and market requirements.

Production sesame seeds in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

In 2019, sesame seed production in the GCC reached its peak at 4,119 tonnes. However, in 2020, production declined slightly to 4,012 tonnes, marking a 2.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking back to 2018, production hit its lowest point at 3,085 tonnes, which represented a 5.3% drop. The most significant growth occurred in 2019, with a substantial 33.5% increase. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 23.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 7.2%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

Sesame seed exports from the GCC have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports surged to 36.8 thousand tonnes, a remarkable 161.0% jump compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by an impressive 864.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 112.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of sesame seeds from the GCC were Iran, accounting for 66.4% of exports by volume, Iraq with 6.8%, and Yemen at 6.0%. Together, these three countries made up 79.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sesame seed exports from the GCC have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of these exports reached $53.8 million, showing a sharp rise of 104.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 1,229.3%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 136.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for sesame seed exports from the GCC in value terms were Iran, with 65.1% of the total, Iraq at 7.4%, and Yemen with 5.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented 77.5% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

Sesame seed imports into the GCC have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 106.3 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 33.4% year-over-year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 61.9 thousand tonnes, which saw a slight decline of 0.2%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 71.2%, with an average annual rate of 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal sources for sesame seed imports into the GCC by volume were Sudan, contributing 65.4%, India with 9.7%, and Somalia at 6.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, sesame seed imports into the GCC declined in 2020. Imports totaled $146.9 million, showing a modest decrease of 4.1% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at $153.1 million, which saw a significant increase of 54.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 116.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 29.4%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, the main markets for sesame seed imports into the GCC in value terms were Sudan, representing 65.7%, India with 10.3%, and Somalia at 5.4%. These three countries together made up 81.4% of total import flows.

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

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