Sesame Seed Market

The article analyzes the global sesame seed market trends from 2012 to 2022 and provides forecasts up to 2030. Consumption, production, import, and export statistics are examined in detail. Key findings include the expected market volume of 9.3M tons and a market value of $15.9B by 2030. China, Sudan, and Myanmar are highlighted as top consumers and producers while Brazil shows significant growth in consumption and production. Import and export data reveal price trends and key market players.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sesame seed worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 9.3M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $15.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sesame Seed

In 2022, the amount of sesame seed consumed worldwide stood at 7.1M tons, approximately reflecting 2021. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 7.2M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global sesame seed market revenue reached $10.6B in 2022, rising by 3.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $11.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.5M tons), Sudan (898K tons) and Myanmar (660K tons), with a combined 42% share of global consumption. Tanzania, India, Central African Republic, Japan, South Sudan, Turkey, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +29.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sesame seed markets worldwide were China ($2.2B), Sudan ($1.4B) and Myanmar ($1.2B), together comprising 45% of the global market. India, Tanzania, Central African Republic, Japan, South Sudan, Turkey, Chad, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of +25.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of sesame seed per capita consumption in 2022 were Central African Republic (38 kg per person), Sudan (20 kg per person) and South Sudan (15 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +28.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Sesame Seed

In 2022, production of sesame seed decreased by -2% to 6.8M tons, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 12%. Global production peaked at 7M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by moderate growth of the harvested area and a mild downturn in yield figures.

In value terms, sesame seed production stood at $9.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -9.7% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $13.5B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Sudan (1.2M tons), India (789K tons) and Myanmar (761K tons), together comprising 41% of global production. Tanzania, Nigeria, China, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Brazil and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +39.3%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

The global average sesame seed yield contracted to 530 kg per ha in 2022, remaining constant against 2021 figures. Overall, the yield saw a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 6%. Over the period under review, the average sesame seed yield attained the peak level at 624 kg per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of sesame seed production worldwide declined modestly to 13M ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 18%. The global harvested area peaked at 14M ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Sesame Seed

In 2022, supplies from abroad of sesame seed decreased by -13% to 2.2M tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -14.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 17%. Global imports peaked at 2.5M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sesame seed imports dropped slightly to $3.6B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -1.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 37%. Global imports peaked at $3.7B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (1.1M tons) represented the key importer of sesame seed, making up 50% of total imports. Turkey (180K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.3% share, followed by Japan (8.3%). South Korea (84K tons), Israel (49K tons), Vietnam (48K tons), the United States (35K tons) and Egypt (33K tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sesame seed imports, with a CAGR of +10.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+4.5%), Egypt (+4.0%), South Korea (+1.4%) and Japan (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Israel and the United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Vietnam (-5.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China increased by +22 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.6B) constitutes the largest market for imported sesame seed worldwide, comprising 45% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($292M), with an 8.1% share of global imports. It was followed by Japan, with an 8% share.

In China, sesame seed imports increased at an average annual rate of +12.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+6.2% per year) and Japan (+1.8% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sesame seed import price amounted to $1,670 per ton, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $2,128 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($2,498 per ton), while Vietnam ($1,516 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+4.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sesame Seed

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of sesame seed, when their volume decreased by -21.2% to 1.9M tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 2.4M tons in 2021, and then fell notably in the following year.

In value terms, sesame seed exports fell to $2.9B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -12.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $3.9B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Sudan (335K tons), Nigeria (297K tons) and India (235K tons) was the major exporter of sesame seed in the world, committing 47% of total export. Tanzania (121K tons) took a 6.5% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Ethiopia (5.8%), Myanmar (5.5%) and Pakistan (5.2%). The following exporters - Chad (70K tons), Burkina Faso (59K tons), Mozambique (53K tons), China (45K tons), Brazil (42K tons) and Turkey (42K tons) - together made up 17% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +84.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sudan ($549M), India ($422M) and Nigeria ($331M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 45% share of global exports. Ethiopia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Tanzania, Chad, China, Mozambique, Turkey, Burkina Faso and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +80.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average sesame seed export price stood at $1,562 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 38%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $2,116 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($2,232 per ton), while Nigeria ($1,114 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+6.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform