Sesame seeds market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Sesame seed production in West Africa showed significant volatility but overall growth from 949 thousand tons in 2018 to 953 thousand tons in 2023. The initial increase to 1 087 thousand tons in 2019 was driven by the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (PPAAO) in Mali, which introduced high-yield sesame varieties and provided input subsidies, boosting yields. However, production fell sharply to 764 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and farming activities. Recovery began in 2021, reaching 815 thousand tons, supported by the Pafao program that promoted market access and formal partnerships for sesame cooperatives. Further growth to 844 thousand tons in 2022 and 953 thousand tons in 2023 was bolstered by continued regional initiatives improving farm financing and the expansion of companies like Mitsumi Distribution, which enhanced technology distribution for agricultural modernization.

The market volume for sesame seeds in West Africa experienced pronounced swings, largely dictated by export fluctuations. Starting at 609 thousand tons in 2018, it dropped to 477 thousand tons in 2019 as exports to China intensified, redirecting a larger share of production abroad. The decline continued to 426 thousand tons in 2020 due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, and further to 284 thousand tons in 2021 when exports surged to 532 thousand tons. However, the market rebounded to 446 thousand tons in 2022 and 606 thousand tons in 2023 as export volumes decreased to 400 thousand tons and 348 thousand tons respectively, allowing more production to remain within the region. This shift coincided with regional programs like Pafao that encouraged local consumption of family-farmed products.

Longer-term trends have included a growing focus on sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, supported by projects like the 'Innovations for Climate-Smart Family Agriculture' call, which promoted adaptive practices for crops including sesame. Technological advancements in natural seed processing, such as chemical-free pasteurization, were adopted to meet international quality and safety standards. Furthermore, strengthened Sino-African cooperation with facilitated customs and logistics has influenced export strategies, although annual export volumes show sensitivity to global demand patterns. Infrastructure developments, like Guinea's planned second undersea fiber-optic cable, aim to digitalize market access for agricultural producers, including those in the sesame sector.

Production sesame seeds in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, sesame seed production in Western Africa declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1,087 thousand tons, but then fell sharply by 29.8% to 764 thousand tons in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 15.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.5%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 14.6%.

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

Exports sesame seeds from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for sesame seeds from Western Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 342.4 thousand tons, marking a substantial decline of 44.3% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 615.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 75.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, China, and Turkey were the largest buyers of sesame seeds from Western Africa in volume terms. Japan accounted for 29.8% of exports, China for 20.1%, and Turkey for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 59.3% of total sesame seed exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In value terms, sesame seed exports from Western Africa showed a different trend. In 2020, export value reached 386.9 million US dollars, a modest increase of 2.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 48.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 14.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 437.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 68.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 13.5%.

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

In value terms, China, Japan, and Turkey remained the key export destinations for Western African sesame seeds from 2017 to 2020. China accounted for 21.7% of export value, Japan for 18.5%, and Turkey for 13.6%. Collectively, these three markets represented 53.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sesame seeds to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of sesame seeds into Western Africa were highly volatile during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 7.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 10.4 thousand tons, showing a slight decrease of 2.2% compared to 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 53.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a remarkable 650.0% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon and Chad were the main sources of sesame seed imports into Western Africa in volume terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 19.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values of sesame seeds into Western Africa also exhibited volatility during this period. Imports reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import value amounted to 9.4 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 150.7% compared to 2019. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019, when import value fell by 28.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Cameroon, Chad, and Poland—together accounted for 23.2% of total sesame seed import value into Western Africa.

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

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