Saudi Arabia: Sesame Seed Market 2025

Sesame Seed Market Size in Saudi Arabia

In 2022, the Saudi sesame seed market increased by 2.8% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, the total consumption indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 -36.1% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Sesame Seed Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, sesame seed production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 107% against the previous year. Sesame seed production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of sesame seed in Saudi Arabia stood at X tons per ha in 2022, remaining stable against 2021. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the yield increased by 34%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the average sesame seed 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 Saudi Arabia fell slightly to X ha, flattening at the year before. Overall, the total harvested area indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% 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 increased by +86.4% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 84%. The sesame seed harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Sesame Seed Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

For the fourth consecutive year, Saudi Arabia recorded decline in overseas shipments of sesame seed, which decreased by -19.4% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports recorded a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 343% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sesame seed exports dropped markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a sharp descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 138%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Jordan (X tons), Sudan (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) were the main destinations of sesame seed exports from Saudi Arabia, with a combined 82% share of total exports. Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of 0.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Jordan ($X), Yemen ($X) and Sudan ($X) constituted the largest markets for sesame seed exported from Saudi Arabia worldwide, together comprising 78% of total exports. Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Oman, with a CAGR of 0.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sesame seed export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -27.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sudan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Kuwait (+156.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sesame Seed Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

After two years of decline, overseas purchases of sesame seed increased by 2.4% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 -35.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sesame seed imports stood at $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% 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 -38.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 61% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Sudan (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of sesame seed to Saudi Arabia, with a 77% share of total imports. Moreover, sesame seed imports from Sudan exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Brazil (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (X tons), with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Sudan totaled +4.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+2.9% per year) and India (-2.6% per year).

In value terms, Sudan ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sesame seed to Saudi Arabia, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 7.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Sudan totaled +4.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+2.2% per year) and Brazil (-1.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sesame seed import price amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 33%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood 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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($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 (+17.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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