Sesame seeds market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The sesame seeds market in Saudi Arabia experienced considerable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. The market volume rose sharply from 43 996 t in 2018 to 57 831 t in 2019, then entered a period of contraction, declining to 54 335 t in 2020 and 52 067 t in 2021. A more pronounced drop followed in 2022, bringing the market size down to 41 520 t, before it recovered to 51 488 t in 2023.

In 2024, the domestic oilseeds and pulses sector was recognized as one of the country's fastest-growing agricultural segments, supporting expansion for sesame seeds. The adoption of cloud-based farm management platforms, such as those introduced by FarmERP through local partnerships, enhanced crop monitoring, irrigation scheduling, and harvest precision. A shift toward controlled-environment agriculture facilitated more stable, year-round production, while the use of high-yield seed varieties and modern equipment improved harvest efficiency and product quality.

Production sesame seeds in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Saudi Arabia produced 4,012 tonnes of sesame seeds in 2020, marking a 2.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,085 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 4,119 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 5.3%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with a rise of 33.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sesame seeds from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. From 2017 to 2019, the difference between the peak and trough volumes was 2.7 times. In 2020, Saudi Arabia exported 284 tonnes of sesame seeds, representing a sharp increase of 140.4% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 118 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 53.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Saudi Arabia's sesame seed exports in volume terms were Jordan, Yemen, and Kuwait. Together, they accounted for 89.6% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest export value was observed in 2019, while the highest was in 2020, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia's sesame seed exports reached 0.5 million US dollars, an increase of 81.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for Saudi Arabia's sesame seed exports in value terms were Yemen (35.0% of total exports), Kuwait (25.9%), and Jordan (25.1%). Together, these three markets accounted for 86.0% of the total export flows.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Saudi Arabia imported 50,608 tonnes of sesame seeds, a decrease of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 41,063 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 53,830 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 8.6%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with a rise of 31.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan consistently represented 77.3% of Saudi Arabia's total sesame seed imports in volume terms, highlighting a high concentration on this market. The remaining imports were distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Saudi Arabia's sesame seed imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 72.0 million US dollars, a steep decrease of 36.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 42.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 113.6 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 60.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan consistently accounted for 76.5% of Saudi Arabia's total sesame seed imports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market. The rest of the imports were shared among other countries.

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

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