ECOWAS: Sesame Seed Market 2025

Sesame Seed Market Size in ECOWAS

In 2022, the ECOWAS sesame seed market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Overall, consumption recorded a buoyant increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sesame Seed Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, sesame seed production expanded notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 212%. As a result, production reached 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 Nigeria (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Niger (X tons), together accounting for 76% of total production. Togo, Mali and Senegal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Senegal (with a CAGR of +21.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of sesame seed in ECOWAS skyrocketed to X kg per ha, with an increase of 21% against the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the sesame seed yield remained at a 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, approx. X ha of sesame seed were harvested in ECOWAS; surging by 7.7% compared with 2021. The total harvested area indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% 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 -12.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 38%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Sesame Seed Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2022, exports of sesame seed in ECOWAS shrank to X tons, dropping by -4.5% on the year before. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 65%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sesame seed exports shrank modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Nigeria represented the largest exporter of sesame seed in ECOWAS, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near 68% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Mali (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), together achieving a 26% share of total exports. Togo (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Togo (+8.4%) and Mali (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +8.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Burkina Faso (-5.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Nigeria (+8.2 p.p.), Mali (+3.2 p.p.) and Togo (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Burkina Faso (-10.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) remains the largest sesame seed supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mali ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria totaled -3.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mali (+3.1% per year) and Burkina Faso (-3.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mali ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sesame Seed Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

Sesame seed imports contracted notably to X tons in 2022, declining by -44.2% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, imports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 135% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sesame seed imports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 20%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Togo was the main importer of sesame seed in ECOWAS, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 64% of total imports in 2022. Ghana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 29% share, followed by Burkina Faso (5.4%).

Togo was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sesame seed imports, with a CAGR of +114.5% from 2012 to 2022. Burkina Faso experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Ghana (-13.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Togo (+64 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ghana saw its share reduced by -59% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sesame seed in ECOWAS, comprising 75% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Togo ($X), with a 20% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ghana stood at -11.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Togo (+79.6% per year) and Burkina Faso (-8.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 94% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a abrupt setback. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($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 a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform