Bulgaria: Sesame Seed Market 2025

Sesame Seed Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian sesame seed market declined to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -9.4% 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -14.4% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sesame Seed Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of sesame seed decreased by -29% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 376%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sesame seed exports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 388%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for sesame seed exports from Bulgaria, with a 62% share of total exports. Moreover, sesame seed exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Greece (X tons), fourfold. Romania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to +97.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Greece (+36.4% per year) and Romania (+51.0% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for sesame seed exports from Bulgaria, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Greece ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Romania, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands stood at +87.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Greece (+36.5% per year) and Romania (+51.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sesame seed export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sesame seed export price decreased by -11.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+8.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sesame Seed Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of sesame seed, when their volume decreased by -22.3% to X tons. In general, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +9.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 37%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, sesame seed imports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, posted resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 89%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Somalia (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons) were the main suppliers of sesame seed imports to Bulgaria, together accounting for 77% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +69.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sesame seed to Bulgaria, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Somalia ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Turkey amounted to +67.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Somalia (+10.2% per year) and Burkina Faso (0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sesame seed import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 19% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 65%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from Greece ($X per ton) and Turkey ($X per ton), while the price for Nigeria ($X per ton) and Burkina Faso ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Somalia (+23.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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