Sesame seeds market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the sesame seed market in South-eastern Asia reached 996.3 thousand tons, supported by Indonesia's launch of the 'Making Indonesia 4.0' industrial roadmap, which aimed to boost manufacturing and innovation in the food and beverage sector. Market volume then contracted to 785.8 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 655.0 thousand tons in 2020, driven primarily by a sharp reduction in imports.

From 2021 to 2022, the market recovered, with volume increasing to 696.8 thousand tons and then to 773.8 thousand tons. This growth occurred alongside stable import levels and a decline in export volumes after 2021.

By 2023, market volume stabilized at 760.6 thousand tons. Factors such as Singapore's diversification of food supply sources to mitigate disruptions and the rising consumer demand for 'naturally healthy' foods incorporating super seeds like sesame helped maintain market activity. The expansion of e-commerce platforms across Southeast Asia also influenced distribution channels for sesame seed products.

Production sesame seeds in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, South-eastern Asia produced 737.8 K t of sesame seeds, marking a 10.2% year-over-year decline. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sesame seeds from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Sesame seed exports from South-eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 152.6 K t of sesame seeds, showing a sharp rise of 42.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.8%, with a CAGR of 4.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 92.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 31.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China accounted for 73.2% of total sesame seed exports in kind from South-eastern Asia, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

South-eastern Asia's sesame seed exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 331.2 M $ US, representing a 27.5% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 77.5%, with a CAGR of 21.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, China dominated exports in value terms, holding a 77.1% share of total flows, while other markets collectively accounted for the remainder.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports sesame seeds to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sesame seed shipments to South-eastern Asia from abroad reached 69.7 K t, reflecting a slight decline of 2.5% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 293.4 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 75.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 409.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and India together absorbed 81.1% of total sesame seed imports in kind to South-eastern Asia, with the rest spread across smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, sesame seed imports to South-eastern Asia declined. In 2020, the region imported a total of value_last_year} M $ US of sesame seeds, which is 7.2% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 49.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 132.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 31.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2017–2020, India (39.2% of imports in value terms), Nigeria (25.3% of imports in value terms), and China (5.0% of imports in value terms) accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms, together comprising 69.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020