Sesame seeds market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Sudan's sesame seeds production increased from 960 thousand tonnes to 1 525 thousand tonnes, while the domestic market volume grew from 708 to 966 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by the Central Bank of Sudan's circulars that encouraged exports and ensured strategic commodity supply after the lifting of economic sanctions, creating favorable conditions for farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture's focus on sesame as a key crop for food security and its support for related food industries further reinforced production efforts during this period.

Beginning in 2021, production entered a sustained decline, falling to 600 thousand tonnes by 2023, and market volume dropped to 261 thousand tonnes. The downturn followed updates to Sudanese customs legislation that altered export tariffs and procedures, likely raising the cost of shipping sesame abroad. In 2022, new packaging and labelling requirements to meet international export standards added further compliance burdens, squeezing producer margins and contributing to the market contraction.

Production sesame seeds in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Sudan was the world's leading producer of sesame seeds from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Sudan's sesame seed production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 525 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp 26.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production surged by 95.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 25.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sudan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sesame seeds from Sudan

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced volatility during this period. Export volumes fluctuated 2.2 times, with the lowest point in 2018 at 252.2 thousand tonnes and the highest in 2020 at 558.9 thousand tonnes. In 2020, exports rose by 19.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 54.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, up by 85.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Egypt, and India were Sudan's key export partners for sesame seeds in volume terms. China accounted for 38.8% of exports, Egypt for 12.4%, and India for 10.4%, together making up 61.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sudan's sesame seed export revenue increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 783.7 million US dollars, up by 4.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 90.3%, with an average annual rate of 23.9%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, China, Egypt, and India remained the top buyers of Sudanese sesame seeds in value terms. China held 36.2% of exports, Egypt 17.8%, and India 10.0%, collectively accounting for 64.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Sudan

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed significant volatility. Volumes varied dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 19 220 times from 2017 to 2018. In 2020, Sudan imported 0.1 thousand tonnes of sesame seeds, a 47.5% increase from 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 100.0%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, soaring by 949 900.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon, Turkey, and Nigeria were the main sources of sesame seed imports to Sudan in volume terms. Lebanon contributed 26.7% of imports, Turkey 22.2%, and Nigeria 5.6%, together representing 54.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values exhibited high volatility during this period. From 2018 to 2020, the peak-to-trough amplitude reached 64 546 times. In 2020, Sudan's sesame seed imports amounted to 0.6 million US dollars, a 340.8% surge from 2019. The minimum value was in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 100.0%. The biggest increase was in 2019, jumping by 1 464 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey played leading roles in Sudan's sesame seed imports in value terms. Jordan accounted for 41.4% of imports, Lebanon for 14.4%, and Turkey for 13.4%, collectively making up 69.1% of total import flows.

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

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