Western Africa: Sesame Seed Market 2025

Sesame Seed Market Size in Western Africa

In 2022, the West African sesame seed market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sesame Seed Production in Western Africa

In value terms, sesame seed production rose remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 212%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat 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 comprising 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.

The average sesame seed yield skyrocketed to X kg per ha in 2022, growing by 21% on the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 26% against the previous year. 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 somewhat 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 Western Africa; picking up by 7.7% against the previous year. The total harvested area indicated pronounced 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 pace of growth appeared the most rapid 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 Western Africa

In 2022, the amount of sesame seed exported in Western Africa contracted to X tons, which is down by -4.5% on the previous year. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sesame seed exports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 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 main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 68% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Mali (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), together creating a 26% share of total exports. Togo (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sesame seed exports from Nigeria stood at +1.1%. 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 Western Africa, with a CAGR of +8.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Burkina Faso (-5.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Nigeria, Mali and Togo increased by +8.3, +3.2 and +2 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) remains the largest sesame seed supplier in Western Africa, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mali ($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 rate of growth in terms of value in Nigeria totaled -3.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mali (+3.1% per year) and Burkina Faso (-3.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 1.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 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 Western Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of sesame seed were imported in Western Africa; declining by -44.2% against the previous year. In general, imports showed a noticeable decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 135% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

In value terms, sesame seed imports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Togo was the main importer of sesame seed in Western Africa, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was near 64% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Ghana (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), together achieving a 34% share of total imports.

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. While the share of Togo (+64 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Ghana (-59 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sesame seed in Western Africa, comprising 75% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Togo ($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

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 94% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a abrupt decrease. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :