Sesame Market Weekly Update: January 24, 2025

India: Reduced Sowing Affects Supply

• Raw Sesame: Prices this week stayed steady between USD 1,14 and 1,28 per kg, with no major changes in supply or demand.
• Hulled Sesame: Prices at Mundra Port remained consistent, ranging from USD 1,94 to 1,96 per kg.

The area under Rabi sesame sowing dropped sharply to 20,000 hectares, down 46% from last year’s 37,000 hectares. Excessive rainfall affected crop quality in key states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Farmers in these regions are now turning to summer crops, while sowing activity in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu remains unchanged.

India is seeing strong export demand from countries like South Korea and the Gulf region, helping maintain steady prices. Domestic consumption, however, remains subdued, allowing exporters to set competitive rates.

China:

• Port stocks at Qingdao dropped slightly to 160,222 MT, with November imports reaching 122,129 MT, a significant increase compared to recent years.
• Mozambique is becoming an important supplier to China, alongside steady exports from Pakistan.

Nigeria:

• Harvesting has been slow, with around 75% of the crop collected so far. Prices remain stable between USD 1,80 and 1,85 per kg, but quality concerns linger due to poor weather conditions.

Burkina Faso:

• Prices are stable in key regions like Hauts Bassins and Center-West, ranging between USD 1,20 and 1,25 per kg.

Chad:

• Activity is robust, with more sesame being transported from rural to urban areas. Prices saw a slight rise:
  • Farm gate: USD 1,20 to 1,40 per kg.
  • Wholesale: USD 1,36 to 1,55 per kg.

Senegal:

• Slower market activity in central regions has led to a drop in port prices at Kaolack, now at USD 1,07 per kg, down from last week’s USD 1,11 per kg.

Key Observations

• Shipping Costs: Freight rates on major routes like Shanghai to New York fell by 4%, offering some relief to exporters.
• Export Growth: India’s sesame exports grew by 14% in 2024, reaching 255,878 MT, up from 224,618 MT in 2023.

Current Trends in the Sesame Market

The sesame market remains stable as strong demand from South Korea and Gulf nations helps offset reduced supply from India and Nigeria. Continued monitoring of India’s sowing activity and Nigeria’s harvest progress will be essential for understanding short-term trends. Meanwhile, emerging suppliers like Chad and Mozambique are playing a larger role in maintaining global supply.





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