Sesame seeds market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the South Korean sesame seed market saw initial growth to 89,756 tons in 2019, driven by the government's tariff-rate quota (TRQ) policy that facilitated imports and lowered prices for small businesses. However, extreme weather events damaged domestic production, slashing self-sufficiency below 10% and reducing output to 6,795 tons in 2020, which contributed to a market contraction to 84,405 tons that year.

The market rebounded sharply to 96,043 tons in 2021 as major food companies like Ottogi, CJ CheilJedang, and Sajo Haepyo adopted roasted sesame powder for oil production, gaining cost competitiveness and stimulating demand. Continued import tariff reductions in 2022 helped sustain high import volumes, keeping the market stable at 95,859 tons.

In 2023, market volume fell 16% to 80,360 tons, with imports dropping to 71,933 tons and domestic production remaining under 9,000 tons. During this period, public research focused on developing higher-yielding sesame varieties to improve long-term crop resilience and quality.

Production sesame seeds in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

South Korea's sesame seed production in 2020 was 6,795 tonnes, marking a significant 47.7% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 52.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 21.9%. The only year that saw growth was 2019, with a modest increase of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sesame seeds from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sesame seeds from South Korea experienced notable volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 42 tonnes, before surging to a peak of 1,244 tonnes in 2018—a staggering 30-fold difference. In 2020, exports recovered to 52 tonnes, showing a 23.6% increase from the previous year. The most dramatic decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 96.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, soaring by 1,580.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, India, and Myanmar consistently dominated South Korea's sesame seed exports in volume, collectively accounting for 80.2% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of sesame seed exports from South Korea showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to a maximum of 2.0 million US dollars in 2018—an 11.5-fold increase. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.5 million US dollars, rising by 65.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 83.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, jumping by 1,052.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Japan, India, and Myanmar remained the top destinations for South Korea's sesame seed exports in value terms, together making up 55.8% of the total. Japan led with 26.8%, followed by India at 16.0%, and Myanmar at 13.0%.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

South Korea's sesame seed imports continued to grow for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 77,662 tonnes—a slight 1.1% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 3.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 72,063 tonnes, which saw a decline of 3.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, up by 6.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Nigeria were the primary sources for South Korea's sesame seed imports in volume, together representing 86.2% of total flows. China accounted for 41.4%, India for 35.1%, and Nigeria for 9.7%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, South Korea's sesame seed imports in value terms declined in 2020, standing at 130.2 million US dollars—a sharp 10.2% drop year-over-year. However, over the 2017–2020 period, imports overall increased by 19.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 145.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Nigeria continued to be the leading suppliers of sesame seeds to South Korea in value terms, jointly accounting for 87.0% of total imports. China held 48.4%, India 30.2%, and Nigeria 8.3%.

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

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