Africa: Sesame Seed Market 2025

Sesame Seed Market Size in Africa

After two years of decline, the African sesame seed market increased by 6.7% to $X in 2022. The total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sesame Seed Production in Africa

In value terms, sesame seed production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% 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 -0.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 94% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Sudan (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons), together comprising 54% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Sudan (with a CAGR of +21.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average sesame seed yield in Africa expanded rapidly to X kg per ha, picking up by 6.5% compared with 2021 figures. In general, the yield, however, recorded a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 9.5%. The level of yield peaked at X kg per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of sesame seed in Africa expanded notably to X ha, increasing by 10% against the year before. The total harvested area indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sesame seed harvested area decreased by -8.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 38% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sesame Seed Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of sesame seed exported in Africa rose markedly to X tons, increasing by 7.3% against the previous year's figure. The total export volume 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. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 26%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sesame seed exports totaled $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% 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 -8.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 61% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Sudan (X tons), Nigeria (X tons) and Ethiopia (X tons) was the largest exporter of sesame seed in Africa, generating 66% of total export. Tanzania (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 8.9% share, followed by Chad (5.6%). The following exporters - Mali (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) - each amounted to a 7.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Chad (with a CAGR of +25.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sudan ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Ethiopia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 66% share of total exports. Tanzania, Chad, Mozambique and Mali lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

Chad, with a CAGR of +26.3%, saw 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 leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the export price increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 Mozambique ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sesame Seed Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of sesame seed were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sesame seed imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 -13.9% against 2020 indices. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Egypt represented the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 46% of total imports. Morocco (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Togo (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Ghana (X tons). All these countries together held near 40% share of total imports. Tunisia (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sesame seed imports into Egypt stood at +4.0%. At the same time, Togo (+114.5%), Morocco (+15.1%), Algeria (+6.2%) and South Africa (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +114.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Ghana (-13.8%) and Tunisia (-17.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Egypt, Togo, Morocco and Algeria increased by +14, +11, +11 and +3.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sesame seed in Africa, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Morocco ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Algeria, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt stood at +5.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Morocco (+17.2% per year) and Algeria (+6.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 45% against the previous year. Import price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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