Sesame seeds market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The Mexican sesame seeds market contracted from 76 224 t in 2018 to 56 299 t in 2021, with significant declines in 2019 and 2020. Industry reports during this period highlighted growing consumer awareness of sesame's health benefits and a shift toward plant-based foods, though these demand-side trends did not immediately translate into market expansion.

Market volume recovered to 62 183 t in 2022, driven by a rise in domestic production. This increase was supported by the planned 2024 ban on transgenic seeds, which encouraged farmers to expand cultivation of non-GMO crops such as sesame. Stronger demand for black sesame in processed snacks and baked goods also contributed to the upturn. In 2023, the market shrank to 57 671 t as production fell, despite ongoing product innovation and rising disposable incomes noted in market analyses.

Regulatory developments, including the upcoming prohibition of transgenic seeds, along with the emergence of new product segments like sesame-based energy bars and plant-based sesame milk, continued to influence market dynamics through 2024.

Production sesame seeds in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Mexico was among the world's leading producers of sesame seeds from 2018 to 2021, ranking 18th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2018-2021

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2018-2021

In 2021, Mexico produced 53 019 tonnes of sesame seeds, representing a 2.0% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the entire 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 7.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.5%. Production peaked in 2019 at 57 811 tonnes, then dropped to its lowest point in 2020 at 51 997 tonnes, with the most significant year-over-year decrease of 10.1% occurring in 2020.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports sesame seeds from Mexico

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, sesame seed exports from Mexico declined in 2021, reaching 3 970 tonnes, which marked a substantial 41.5% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 17.9%, averaging an annual decline of 6.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 781 tonnes, while the largest year-over-year increase of 19.5% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Japan consistently accounted for 99.0% of Mexico's sesame seed exports by volume, demonstrating a highly concentrated export market with numerous smaller markets making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Sesame seed exports from Mexico declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, with export value reaching 8 813 thousand US dollars, representing a 19.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 9.9%, averaging an annual decline of 3.4%. The peak export value was recorded in 2019 at 12 776 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-over-year increase of 30.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States and Japan remained Mexico's primary export partners in value terms, together accounting for 99.2% of total export value, with other partners making up the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports sesame seeds to Mexico

Imports in kind, t

Sesame seed imports to Mexico declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 7 249 tonnes, which represented a sharp 35.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 69.5%, with an average annual decline of 32.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States (29.8% of import volume), India (25.0%), and Paraguay (22.6%) together accounted for 77.4% of Mexico's sesame seed imports by volume, establishing them as the main sources of imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Sesame seed imports to Mexico declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, with import value reaching 11 081 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 48.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 73.0%, with an average annual decline of 35.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States (30.2% of import value), India (26.0%), and Paraguay (20.9%) were the primary contributors to Mexico's sesame seed imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 77.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021