Middle East: Sesame Oil Market 2025

Sesame Oil Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern sesame oil market totaled $X in 2022, growing by 2.7% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sesame Oil Production in the Middle East

In value terms, sesame oil production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Sesame Oil Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, overseas shipments of sesame oil decreased by -4.8% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, posted a perceptible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 141% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, sesame oil exports declined modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 124%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Yemen (X tons), distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) represented the major exporters of sesame oil, together constituting 86% of total exports. Jordan (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +52.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sesame oil supplying countries in the Middle East were Yemen ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Lebanon ($X), with a combined 72% share of total exports. Jordan, Syrian Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +49.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among 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

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, growing by 3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 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 Jordan ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sesame Oil Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, purchases abroad of sesame oil decreased by -26.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 -41.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 54%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sesame oil imports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 43%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which recorded 41% of total imports. Iran (X tons) took a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Israel (9.8%), Oman (7.9%), Qatar (5.9%) and Kuwait (5%). Bahrain (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +9.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Qatar (+14.8%), Iran (+13.3%), Bahrain (+9.6%), Israel (+9.2%), Oman (+4.6%) and Kuwait (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Israel and Qatar increased by +17, +11, +3.9 and +3.8 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sesame oil in the Middle East, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Israel ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Iran, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +14.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (+11.7% per year) and Iran (+15.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 18% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sesame oil import price increased by +8.9% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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