Ethiopia exported approximately 250,000 tonnes of sesame seeds in 2023 worth $480 million, making it Africa's largest sesame exporter and the world's fourth largest. Tigray and Humera regions in northern Ethiopia are the primary growing areas, though the Tigray conflict 2020 to 2023 caused significant production disruption. Sudan, historically the world's largest sesame exporter, has seen production fall sharply since the outbreak of civil conflict in 2023. Tanzania and Uganda are emerging as alternative origins, with Tanzania exporting approximately 100,000 tonnes annually to Chinese and Japanese buyers.
Market Dynamics
China imports over 700,000 tonnes of sesame annually, predominantly for tahini paste and sesame oil production. Japan is the premium market, requiring specific white sesame varieties with strict pesticide residue and mycotoxin standards. Meeting Japanese standards requires careful post-harvest handling, aflatoxin testing, and cold storage that is not yet universally available at East African export points. Sesame prices are volatile: the Sudan conflict has tightened supply significantly and pushed prices above $1,600 per tonne in 2024. Sesame buyers and East African exporters can access market data on intra-africa.com.
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