Sesame seeds market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market volume in Israel showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. It reached a peak of 56 900 t in 2019, then declined to 50 247 t in 2020 before recovering to 54 444 t the following year. A subsequent drop to 48 753 t occurred in 2022, with the market stabilizing at 49 583 t in 2023.

During part of this period, the broader food market structure played a role, as by 2021 the sector was characterized by an oligopoly where a small number of large suppliers held significant power over supply conditions and pricing, influencing the availability of sesame seeds for further processing and consumption.

Recent developments have begun to reshape the market landscape. In 2024, a project was launched to revive domestic sesame cultivation, with 800 dunams sown for commercial production. Simultaneously, the entry of a major new player, Strauss, introduced sesame-based beverages to the growing plant-based alternatives segment, reflecting and responding to shifting consumer preferences towards vegan products.

Production sesame seeds in Israel

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Sesame seed production in Israel has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Israel produced 48 130 kg of sesame seeds, which represents a 1.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Israel in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports sesame seeds from Israel

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 32 t, then peaked in 2017, showing a 38-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Israel exported 59 t of sesame seeds, marking an 87.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 94.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant partner for sesame seed exports in volume, accounting for 85.4% of total flows. Other markets had relatively modest shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility in these years. The lowest point was in 2019 at 0.1 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2017, resulting in a 24-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Israel exported 0.1 million US dollars worth of sesame seeds, a 56.2% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a 92.0% decrease.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey was the key buyer of sesame seeds from Israel in value terms, taking 81.9% of total exports. A diverse group of other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Israel

Imports in kind, t

Israel imported 50 259 t of sesame seeds in 2020, which represents a significant decline of 11.6% compared to the previous year. Imports decreased by 11.2% between 2017 and 2020, equating to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 56 883 t, with the largest increase that year at 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia and India dominated sesame seed imports to Israel in volume, together accounting for 84.2% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After rising for two years, sesame seed imports to Israel declined. In 2020, import value totaled 99.4 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial decline of 16.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 41.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 119.5 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 30.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Ethiopia and India clearly dominated sesame seed imports to Israel in value terms, jointly accounting for 84.5% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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