Costa Rica: Sesame Seed Market 2025

Sesame Seed Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican sesame seed market reduced slightly to $X in 2022, which is down by -4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Sesame Seed Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, sesame seed production dropped slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw measured growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 66% against the previous year. Sesame seed production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of sesame seed in Costa Rica fell to X kg per ha in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 2.5%. Over the period under review, the average sesame seed yield reached the maximum level at X kg per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of sesame seed production in Costa Rica declined modestly to X ha, approximately equating 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a slight expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sesame seed production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Sesame Seed Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

Sesame seed exports from Costa Rica reduced notably to X tons in 2022, shrinking by -39.9% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 902%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sesame seed exports declined significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 736%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for sesame seed exports from Costa Rica, accounting for a 91% share of total exports. Moreover, sesame seed exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Panama (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK stood at +14.0%.

In value terms, the UK ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for sesame seed exports from Costa Rica, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Panama ($X), with a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK stood at +9.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The average sesame seed export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 4.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Panama ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Panama (+5.1%).

Sesame Seed Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, the amount of sesame seed imported into Costa Rica reduced to X tons, dropping by -12.5% on 2021 figures. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 38%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sesame seed imports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 83% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Guatemala (X tons), Bolivia (X tons) and Peru (X tons) were the main suppliers of sesame seed imports to Costa Rica, together comprising 72% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bolivia (with a CAGR of +54.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sesame seed suppliers to Costa Rica were Peru ($X), Guatemala ($X) and Bolivia ($X), with a combined 76% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Bolivia, with a CAGR of +52.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average sesame seed import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 3.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 36%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+4.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform