Sesame seeds market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seed market in North Macedonia showed stability in volume from 2018 to 2019, supported by the adoption of the Law on Financial Support for Investments and amendments to the Law on Foreigners, which aimed to bolster small businesses and regulate agricultural labor. The pandemic in 2020 led to a slight contraction in market volume to 1 625 t, as global disruptions hampered trade flows.

A post-pandemic rebound in 2021 pushed market volume to 1 824 t, coinciding with the introduction of a new Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Law that set stricter rules for product labeling. The following year, market volume dropped sharply to 1 419 t, largely due to global supply chain disruptions stemming from the war in Ukraine, despite extended trade privileges for the Western Balkans that aimed to facilitate market access. By 2023, the market recovered to 1 557 t, even as authorities enforced rigorous food safety controls after detecting carcinogenic ethylene oxide in sesame imports from India, leading to recalls and tighter quality regulations.

Throughout the period, regulatory shifts such as environmental and waste management policies, along with improved investment conditions and infrastructure development, shaped the operating environment for sesame importers and processors, influencing both costs and market standards.

Production sesame seeds in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

North Macedonia's sesame seeds production grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 42 700 kg. However, in 2020, it fell to 40 370 kg, marking a 5.5% decrease from the previous year. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a 3.1% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

In value, 2017-2020, $ US

Sesame seeds production in North Macedonia experienced a two-year upward trend before turning downward. In 2019, the value peaked at 99 778 US dollars. By 2020, it had dropped to 84 199 US dollars, reflecting a 15.6% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 26.9%, averaging an 8.3% annual growth rate. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 31.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Exports sesame seeds from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, North Macedonia's sesame seeds exports hit a high of 242 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, exports fell sharply to 167 tonnes, a 31.2% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 24.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, rising by 31.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia was the top destination for North Macedonia's sesame seeds exports by volume, accounting for 54.0% of the total. India followed with 25.3%, and Albania with 17.3%. Together, these three countries represented 96.6% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

North Macedonia's sesame seeds exports grew for two years before declining. In 2019, exports reached their highest value at 567 000 US dollars. In 2020, they fell to 348 000 US dollars, a 38.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.7%, with a slight average annual decline of 0.9%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 48.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia led as the primary destination for North Macedonia's sesame seeds exports by value, holding a 58.5% share. India accounted for 19.4%, and Albania for 17.7%. Combined, these three markets made up 95.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, sesame seeds imports into North Macedonia peaked at 1 854 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, imports decreased moderately to 1 752 tonnes, a 5.5% year-over-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 3.4%, with an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 3.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, India dominated North Macedonia's sesame seeds imports by volume, capturing 78.8% of the total. The remaining share was spread among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, North Macedonia's sesame seeds imports declined. In 2019, imports reached a high of 3 931 000 US dollars. By 2020, they had dropped to 3 155 000 US dollars, a 19.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 18.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The most significant rise occurred in 2019, at 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the leading source for North Macedonia's sesame seeds imports by value, accounting for 78.6% of the total. The rest was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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