Sesame seeds market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

Turkey's sesame seed market volume expanded from 150 000 t in 2018 to 205 000 t in 2020, a growth primarily fueled by increasing imports. This reliance on foreign supply intensified as domestic production faced ongoing structural challenges, including persistently shrinking cultivation areas and high production costs, which constrained local output.

The market then contracted to 155 000 t by 2022. A key development during this period was the government's revision of customs duty rates for sesame seeds, which likely tempered import volumes. Simultaneously, Turkish sesame exports grew significantly, reaching $77 million in 2022, which further reduced domestic availability.

In 2023, the market rebounded sharply to 213 000 t, valued at $396 million. This surge was driven by a pronounced shift in consumer preferences toward natural, healthy, and organic foods, which boosted overall demand. To meet this demand, imports jumped to 255 000 t, compensating for a continued decline in the domestic harvest.

Production sesame seeds Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sesame seeds, 2017-2020

Turkey's sesame seed production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 16,893 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output increased by 10.4% to 18,648 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2018, the value of sesame seed production in Turkey hit its minimum at 28,248 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2019, it peaked at 32,816 thousand US dollars, marking a significant increase of 16.2%. However, in 2020, the value declined by 5.3% to 31,082 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sesame seeds to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

Turkey's sesame seed exports have grown for three consecutive years. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 96.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 25.2%. In 2020, shipments reached 37.1 thousand tonnes, up 10.9% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Syria, and Greece were Turkey's key export partners for sesame seeds by volume. Iraq accounted for 23.8% of exports, Syria for 21.4%, and Greece for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 56.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Turkey's sesame seed exports in value terms declined in 2020. The value peaked in 2019 at 64.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 62.6% occurring in 2018. In 2020, exports fell by 4.9% to 61.8 million US dollars. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 91%, averaging 24.1% annually.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, Syria, and Greece were the primary export partners for Turkey's sesame seeds by value. Iraq contributed 21.7% of export value, Syria 18.0%, and Greece 11.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 50.8% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports sesame seeds in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Turkey's sesame seed imports have risen for three straight years. From 2017 to 2020, import volumes grew by 44.4%, with an average annual increase of 13.0%. In 2020, imports totaled 223.2 thousand tonnes, up 21.1% year-over-year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Sudan, and Chad were the leading sources of sesame seed imports to Turkey by volume. Nigeria supplied 42.7% of imports, Sudan 21.0%, and Chad 14.9%. Together, these three countries made up 78.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Turkey's sesame seed imports in value terms have increased for two consecutive years. In 2018, the value hit its lowest point at 211.7 million US dollars, with a decline of 6.4%. The following year, in 2019, it saw the largest increase of 35.9%. In 2020, imports rose by 3.1% to 296.8 million US dollars. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 31.3%, averaging 9.5% per year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria, Sudan, and Chad were the main sources of sesame seed imports to Turkey by value. Nigeria accounted for 43.2% of import value, Sudan for 21.0%, and Chad for 14.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 78.4% of total import value.

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

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