The sesame seeds market growth is powered by rising demand for oil-rich superfoods and sustainable agricultural solutions. In the recent years, emerging economies have actively promoted sesame seed cultivation through digital traceability platforms, climate-resilient seed varieties, and blockchain-led export reforms. In India, the government’s Integrated Scheme for Oilseeds includes sesame under National Food Security Mission, offering cluster-based support and seed hubs across Telangana and Gujarat. According to industry reports, India exported over 600,000 tonnes in FY24, a 5% increase over the previous year, showing solid momentum.
Africa’s participation in the global sesame seeds market is also deepening. Ethiopia and Sudan are now integrating agri-drones and satellite soil scanning to modernise sesame farming. Ethiopia’s Agricultural Transformation Institute reported a significant increase in yield after AI-led seed monitoring tools were introduced in Amhara. Meanwhile, Japan’s soaring demand for white sesame is driving contract-farming partnerships in Nigeria and Tanzania, where solar-powered processing units are gaining traction for value-added exports.
Buyers across Europe and North America are now valuing non-GMO certification, carbon-neutral farming and deforestation-free sourcing in sesame trade agreements. This is shifting the global competitive landscape, away from volume-based trade toward traceability-led value chains, boosting the sesame seeds market development. High-protein sesame flour and spray-dried tahini powders are also disrupting conventional bakery and snack markets.
Key Trends and Recent Developments
February 2025
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, the sole owner of the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company, agreed to pay USD 1.78 billion to boost its ownership position in Olam Agri from 35.4% to 80.01%. The proposal to purchase the remaining 19.99% within three years is also granted to SALIC under the deal, which is contingent upon obtaining the required regulatory permissions.February 2024
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared that the government will develop a plan to increase domestic oilseed production and initiate a comprehensive program to support edible oils in order to make India self-reliant in this area.February 2023
SESAQUATM, a water-soluble active ingredient for skin care products derived from sesame, is a new product introduced by Seiwa Kasei. It is 100% plant-derived, NATRUE, COSMOS-approved, biodegradable, and free of preservatives.September 2022
Equinom teamed up with AGT Food and Ingredients Inc., a global supplier of plant-based food products and ingredients located in Regina, Saskatchewan. Development, verification, and marketing of co-branded, functional plant-protein components will be the main goals of the partnership.Blockchain Integration in Sesame Export Chains
Blockchain is transforming the sesame seed supply chain by improving traceability and fraud prevention. Nigeria launched its National Blockchain Policy in 2023, which has encouraged sesame exporters to adopt QR-coded traceability platforms. Technological firms like Cimbria have helped automate sesame batch histories from farm-to-port in Benue and Nasarawa states. This digitisation ensures transparency for European importers enforcing stricter sustainability checks under the European Union Green Deal. Exporters leveraging blockchain see quicker clearances, reduced rejections, and premium pricing. Kenya has also piloted a blockchain traceability initiative with the UNDP to validate organic sesame exports to the Gulf, boosting confidence among halal-certified buyers.Rise of Climate-Resilient Sesame Cultivars
Climate-smart sesame varieties are gaining increasing attention amid erratic rainfall and soil salinity, accelerating the sesame seeds market value. ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research is developing high-yielding, drought-tolerant sesame strains, under the country’s climate adaptive oilseed initiative. These strains require less water and mature quicker, reducing crop losses in arid belts like Rajasthan and Karnataka. Uganda and Burkina Faso are similarly working with ICRISAT to develop resilient local breeds. Such cultivars help expand acreage in marginal lands, especially under agro-ecological farming missions that align with Zero Hunger goals, driving consistent supply without compromising soil health.Functional Ingredients from Sesame Side-Streams
As per the sesame seeds market report, innovative processing methods are extracting new functional ingredients from sesame by-products. Food tech firms like Equinom in collaboration with Dipasa are developing high-protein defatted sesame flour for gluten-free applications. Similarly, Japan’s Nisshin Oillio is investing in microencapsulated lignans from sesame hulls for use in nutraceuticals. These side-opportunities tap into waste valorisation trends, reducing processing losses. Israel’s SESAME initiative, supported by the Innovation Authority, is commercialising sesame-based peptides for anti-inflammatory skincare. Such cross-industry innovations create fresh revenue streams and enable processors to sell beyond traditional tahini and oil, pushing the sesame market into novel consumer categories.Automation in Post-Harvest Processing
Modern post-harvest systems are improving sesame seed quality and export-readiness, accelerating the sesame seeds market revenue. Ethiopia’s Gonder region witnessed the rollout of solar-powered graders and optical colour sorters, funded by the African Development Bank. These setups reduce impurity levels. In Mexico, companies like Dipasa installed AI-led moisture control units to maintain uniform seed drying. Automation not only increases output but also ensures compliance with international standards. Moreover, machine-based hulling units are now being deployed in Uganda and Mozambique, offering smallholder processors better shelf-life outcomes and enabling contract tie-ups with global traders.Direct-to-Factory Farming Contracts Expand
Contract farming is evolving from bulk procurement to precision-grade sesame seed sourcing. Olam International expanded its programme in Burkina Faso and India, where farmers receive digital soil health reports, customised fertiliser packs, and yield-linked bonuses. In addition, the company has introduced a programme to train 1,500 sesame farmers in Nigeria on efficient application of inputs has led to increases of up to 35% in yield, and reduced production costs. These initiatives lower rejection rates and ensure crop uniformity. In Tanzania, CRDB Bank introduced agricultural loans bundled with buy-back guarantees in partnership with food processors. Such models ensure predictable raw material pipelines for manufacturers while giving growers upfront pricing assurance.Global Sesame Seeds Industry Segmentation
The report titled “Global Sesame Seeds Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:Market Breakup by Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa
Sesame Seeds Market Regional Analysis
By Region, Asia-Pacific Accounts for the Dominant Share of the Market
Asia-Pacific continues to dominate the sesame seeds market owing to its large cultivation base, institutional support, and strong intra-regional demand. Myanmar and China lead exports, while India is benefiting from schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. The rise of sesame oil as a wellness product in Japan and South Korea further fuels demand. Additionally, Thailand and Vietnam are importing sesame for snack and sauce processing. Smart irrigation and mechanised harvesting in Tamil Nadu and Yunnan have enhanced yields by a significant extent. Agro-export zones and digital marketplaces like eNAM in India simplify trade formalities, attracting SMEs. Hence, the current market dynamics solidify the region's dominance on both volume and value fronts.Middle East and Africa are emerging as the fastest-growing sesame seeds market, propelled by export-led agricultural reforms and climatic advantage. Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania are scaling sesame production through initiatives like Ethiopia’s Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda and Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. Gulf nations, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are increasing imports to meet rising demand for tahini, energy bars, and cold-pressed oils. Solar-powered hulling units and regional quality labs in Addis Ababa and Lagos are improving traceability. Export incentives, coupled with investments in agritech startups, are catalysing contract farming models across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Competitive Landscape
The sesame seeds market players are focused on direct farm engagement, quality differentiation, and by-product innovation. Firms are investing in AI-backed agronomy tools and traceability software to meet evolving import regulations. Carbon-neutral and organic certifications are opening up premium export channels. Technological upgrades in hulling, cleaning, and packaging are enabling mid-sized firms to compete in value-added segments.Blockchain traceability, climate-resilient seeds, contract farming, AI-led processing, and functional by-products are reshaping the global trade from bulk raw exports to value-driven, traceability-led supply chains. Innovation is also emerging in sesame-based functional ingredients like protein powders, nutraceutical lignans, and cold-pressed condiments. As processors move closer to farms, contract models and microfinancing schemes are opening up opportunities for new partnerships. With EU tightening its pesticide residue limits, and the Middle East demanding high-purity tahini inputs, sesame seeds companies are inclining towards to smarter, vertically integrated sourcing and sustainable farming practices to gain a clear competitive edge.
Olam International
Established in 1989, headquartered in Singapore, Olam International runs contract sesame farming in India, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso under its “AtSource” sustainability programme. Its end-to-end model includes digital yield forecasting, climate analytics, and traceability apps for buyers.Dipasa Europe B.V.
Founded in 1974, Dipasa Europe B.V. produces refined sesame oils and gluten-free flours. Thr company runs an automated processing facility in Mexico and supports clean-label sesame innovation across EU bakeries and snack sectors.
Unicorn Ingredients Limited
Founded in 2008, Unicorn Ingredients focuses on importing cleaned, hulled sesame from India and Africa. It supplies to food manufacturers in the United Kingdom and Germany with strict quality, pesticide, and allergen control protocols.Virdhara International
Founded in 1995, headquartered in Gujarat, India, Virdhara specialises in export-grade sesame and spices. It offers sterilised, sortex-cleaned seeds with BRC and ISO certifications. The firm has expanded solar-powered hulling units in its contract clusters in Gujarat.Other key players in the market are Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V., and Akay Agro Allied, among others.
Key Features of the Report
- In-depth analysis of Global Sesame Seeds Market Size and forecast
- Comprehensive segmentation by region
- Market trends, drivers, and regulatory developments
- Competitive landscape and strategic company profiling
- Recent investments and infrastructure expansion impact
- Technological innovations and future market outlook
- Trusted insights backed by extensive primary research
- Actionable data for strategic decision-making
- Region-wise and product-specific analysis
Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned
The key companies featured in this Sesame Seeds market report include:- Olam International
- Dipasa Europe B.V.
- Unicorn Ingredients Limited
- Virdhara International
- Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V.
- Akay Agro Allied
Table Information
Report Attribute | Details |
---|---|
No. of Pages | 171 |
Published | August 2025 |
Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 7.34 Billion |
Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 9.21 Billion |
Compound Annual Growth Rate | 2.3% |
Regions Covered | Global |
No. of Companies Mentioned | 7 |