Sesame seeds market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Sesame seed production in Ghana increased from 3 026 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 323 thousand tons in 2019. This growth was supported by the launch of the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) for sesame trading, which improved market infrastructure, and by capacity-building partnerships that trained farmers in the Northern regions on good agricultural practices and provided certified seeds.

Production fell sharply to 2 443 thousand tons in 2020, reducing domestic market volume to 1 633 thousand tons. That same year, sesame farming was introduced in the Sissala enclave, where farmers began shifting from maize to sesame due to lower production costs, though this expansion did not prevent the overall decline. The market gradually stabilized, with production recovering to 2 689 thousand tons by 2023, supported by ongoing promotion of sesame as a climate-resilient crop and persistent calls for tax relief and mechanization to enhance value addition.

Throughout the period, sesame maintained its appeal due to high global demand and suitability for marginal soils in Northern Ghana. By 2024, the focus included using seasonal weather forecasts for planting decisions and improving seed sector policies to support farmers.

Production sesame seeds in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's sesame seed production volume declined after two years of improvement. In 2019, production reached its peak at 3,323 thousand tons, marking the largest annual increase of 9.8%. However, in 2020, production fell sharply to 2,443 thousand tons, representing a dramatic 26.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's sesame seed production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, production value peaked at 4,003 million US dollars, showing the largest annual increase of 14.8%. The following year, in 2019, it experienced the largest decline of 18.4%. By 2020, production value dropped to 3,023 million US dollars, a decrease of 7.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value fell by 13.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sesame seeds from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment for sesame seed exports from Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 584 thousand tons. The following year, in 2019, they surged to a peak of 1,003 thousand tons, marking the largest annual increase of 71.8% and showing a 1.7-fold difference from the 2018 low. In 2020, exports decreased to 819 thousand tons, representing an 18.3% reduction compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for sesame seed exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms were China, Japan, and Israel. China accounted for 32.3% of exports, Japan for 19.3%, and Israel for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented 58.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sesame seed exports from Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 1,014 million US dollars, showing a slight rise of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 36.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and Israel remained the main destinations for sesame seed exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. China accounted for 33.5% of export value, Japan for 12.6%, and Israel for 9.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 55.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe for sesame seed imports into Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2019, imports dropped to their minimum of 5 thousand tons, marking the largest annual decline of 33.8%. The following year, in 2020, imports surged to a peak of 9 thousand tons, showing a steep gain of 99.4% compared to 2019 and a 2-fold shift from the previous year's low.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, India and Mexico made the largest contribution to sesame seed imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms, together representing 5.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, sesame seed imports into Sub-Saharan Africa increased in value terms. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 10 million US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 19.8%. In 2020, imports rose to 17 million US dollars, up by 69.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall import value increased by 31.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of sesame seed imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. India accounted for 16.0% of import value, Mexico for 2.4%, and the United States for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 19.3% of total import flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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