Sesame seeds market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market in Middle Africa grew in 2019, fueled by rising global demand for healthy ingredients as consumer habits began shifting even before the pandemic's full impact. This expansion halted abruptly in 2020 when the market volume fell by over 130 thousand tonnes. The decline was driven by a food safety crisis involving ethylene oxide contamination in sesame shipments from India, which prompted stringent European import controls and product recalls, severely affecting export channels. Concurrent pandemic-related trade disruptions further compressed market activity.

Market conditions stabilized in 2021 as heightened health awareness and greater disposable income sustained demand for sesame-based products. A clear recovery emerged from 2022 onward, powered by vibrant export flows to China—a key destination for African sesame. By 2023, production gains were anchored by expanded cultivation areas in Nigeria, the region's leading producer, where improved farm-gate prices incentivized planting. New local processing investments, including the inauguration of a 7,000-tonne-per-year facility in Kano, strengthened the value chain and contributed to the steady market growth.

Production sesame seeds in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Sesame seeds production in Middle Africa grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, the region produced 465.9 thousand tons of sesame seeds, representing a 22.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 599.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sesame seeds from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sesame seeds from Middle Africa showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic 137-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 177.9 tons of sesame seeds, marking a substantial 104.2% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 25.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 with an extraordinary 8 914.7% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Turkey consistently dominated the export structure for sesame seeds from Middle Africa. Nigeria accounted for 46.1% of exports in kind, Vietnam represented 19.4%, and Turkey contributed 13.2%. Together, these three countries represented 78.6% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of sesame seeds exports from Middle Africa showed considerable instability throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019, showing a remarkable 134-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, sesame seeds shipments from Middle Africa amounted to 88.3 thousand US dollars, representing a significant 14.4% decline compared to the previous year. The highest value was achieved in 2019 at 103.2 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with an exceptional 7 083.9% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Turkey remained the primary markets for sesame seeds exports from Middle Africa in value terms. Nigeria accounted for 40.7% of export value, Vietnam represented 22.4%, and Turkey contributed 21.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 84.6% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market for sesame seeds in Middle Africa displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa imported 40.4 tons of sesame seeds, representing a solid 15.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 48.0 tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with 93.3% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, China, and Lebanon consistently formed the core of sesame seeds imports to Middle Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.7% of total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, sesame seeds imports to Middle Africa amounted to 46.0 thousand US dollars, showing a 39.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 27.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 75.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal, Lebanon, and China remained the key partners for sesame seeds imports to Middle Africa in value terms. Portugal accounted for 25.8% of import value, Lebanon represented 13.5%, and China contributed 13.2%. Together, these three countries represented 52.6% of total import value during this period.

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

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