Sesame seeds market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market in Lebanon stood at 28 375 t in 2018, supported by a shift in consumer preferences towards healthier food choices driven by rising health awareness. After a slight dip to 26 437 t in 2019, the market volume grew by 15% to 30 513 t in 2020. This increase was propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led consumers to reconsider their consumption patterns and boosted demand for healthy ingredients like sesame seeds.

In 2021, the market contracted sharply by 27% to 22 378 t. This decline coincided with a rise in global sesame seed prices due to China's large purchases from Nigeria and supply disruptions from Port Sudan, alongside reduced stocks in India from a poor winter harvest. The market rebounded in 2022, rising 23% to 27 483 t, fueled by continued demand for healthy products and the growing popularity of sesame milk as an alternative in the food industry. However, in 2023, the market fell again by 22% to 21 399 t, reflecting the impact of Lebanon's severe economic crisis on consumer purchasing power.

Production sesame seeds in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Lebanon's sesame seed production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 206.5 t of sesame seeds, marking a 0.9% year-over-year reduction.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Lebanon's sesame seed production value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 346.7 K $ US, reflecting an 8.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 423.9 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 7.5%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's sesame seed exports totaled 244 t, representing a sharp 36.0% year-over-year decline. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 382 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 147.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Sudan, and Syria were the main buyers of sesame seeds from Lebanon. Turkey accounted for 60.2% of exports in kind, Sudan for 12.5%, and Syria for 12.2%. Together, these three countries comprised 84.8% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, changing by a factor of 4.5. In 2020, sesame seed deliveries from Lebanon totaled 410 K $ US, indicating a sudden 41.1% decline compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 697 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 168.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Syria, and Sudan were the leading destinations for Lebanon's sesame seed exports in value terms. Turkey accounted for 59.5% of exports, Syria for 9.7%, and Sudan for 9.4%. Combined, these three countries represented 78.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon imported 30 551 t of sesame seeds in 2020, representing a 14.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 67.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan was the dominant supplier of sesame seeds to Lebanon, accounting for 79.3% of total imports in kind. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon imported 47 006 K $ US worth of sesame seeds in 2020, indicating a slight 0.7% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 56.2%, equating to a 16.0% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 48 852 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 62.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan was the key supplier of sesame seeds to Lebanon in value terms, taking 77.9% of total imports. A diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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