Sesame seeds market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market in Iran showed considerable size from 2018 to 2022, with volumes hovering between 80 000 t and 93 000 t. This was supported by strong domestic production of high-quality sesame and growing consumer awareness of its health benefits, such as blood sugar control and heart health. Major companies like Halva Oghab expanded the product range with innovations like roasted sesame with new flavors, sugar-free sesame cream, and low-calorie sesame sauces, which catered to diverse dietary preferences and boosted consumption.

After reaching a peak of 93 006 t in 2022, the market volume collapsed to 36 257 t in 2023. This sharp decline was driven by a dramatic drop in imports, which fell to 7 389 t from 64 015 t the previous year. Domestic production remained stable at 29 000 t, indicating that the contraction was primarily due to external supply factors.

Throughout the period, Iranian sesame maintained its reputation for quality, cultivated in regions like Rudbar-e Jonub, Kerman, Khuzestan, and Bushehr. The industry's focus on meeting international packaging and production standards, along with the continuous activity of large-scale producers, provided a stable base for the domestic market despite volatile import flows.

Production sesame seeds in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran ranked as the 26th largest producer of sesame seeds globally.

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Iran produced 29 000 tonnes of sesame seeds, showing little change from 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% drop, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Iran

Exports in kind, t

Market behavior during these years was marked by volatility. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, representing a 27-fold increase. In 2020, Iran's cross-border shipments of sesame seeds totaled 18 tonnes, an 81.0% decrease year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 93 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 2 316.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan remained the primary destination for sesame seeds exported from Iran, accounting for 82.9% of total exports in volume, while the rest was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance during this period showed noticeable fluctuations. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 32-fold difference. In 2020, Iran's sesame seed exports amounted to 0.0 million US dollars, a sharp decline of 80.3% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 0.2 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 3 135.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Azerbaijan continued to be the main outlet for sesame seeds from Iran, representing 82.0% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining volume shared among other countries.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Iran

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Iran imported a total of value_last_year tonnes of sesame seeds, reflecting a robust decrease of 19.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 39.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 27.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 4.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Pakistan (38.7% of imports in volume), the United Arab Emirates (29.8% of imports in volume), and India (18.1% of imports in volume) were the leading sources for sesame seed imports to Iran, collectively accounting for 86.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Iran's imported sesame seed volumes were recorded at 88.9 million US dollars, down by 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 23.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 20.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 17.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan (36.5% of imports in value), the United Arab Emirates (32.1% of imports in value), and India (18.8% of imports in value) formed the core of sesame seed imports to Iran in value terms, together representing 87.4% of total flows.

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

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