Middle East: Sesame Seed Market 2025

Sesame Seed Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern sesame seed market totaled $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations 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 Seed Production in the Middle East

In value terms, sesame seed production expanded markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 30%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Iran (X tons), Yemen (X tons) and Turkey (X tons), with a combined 77% share of total production. Syrian Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia and Iraq lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +27.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average sesame seed yield stood at X kg per ha in 2022, surging by 3.1% on the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the yield increased by 11%. As a result, the yield reached 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 the Middle East; approximately equating 2021. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 8.2% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sesame Seed Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, exports of sesame seed in the Middle East skyrocketed to X tons, surging by 31% against the previous year. In general, exports posted significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 132% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sesame seed exports rose markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 79% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) represented the key exporter of sesame seed, achieving 68% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), comprising a 26% share of total exports. Yemen (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sesame seed exports, with a CAGR of +33.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+27.1%) and Yemen (+18.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Turkey (+44 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest sesame seed supplier in the Middle East, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

In Turkey, sesame seed exports increased at an average annual rate of +28.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+21.3% per year) and Yemen (+32.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -12.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Yemen ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+12.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sesame Seed Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, supplies from abroad of sesame seed decreased by -3.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% 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 -15.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sesame seed imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 23% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) represented the main importer of sesame seed, comprising 42% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Israel (11%), the United Arab Emirates (11%), Lebanon (6.1%) and Iran (5.5%). Jordan (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+5.0%), Saudi Arabia (+1.6%) and Lebanon (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +5.0% from 2012-2022. Iran, Israel and Jordan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Turkey (+7.5 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Jordan (-1.6 p.p.) and Israel (-3.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sesame seed in the Middle East, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Israel ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey totaled +6.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Israel (+4.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+4.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 10% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the import price increased by 24%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($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 (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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