The global sesame market saw notable price shifts this past week, with India experiencing a price dip due to weak demand and rising imports. Meanwhile, China’s sesame stocks surged, as buyers pulled back ahead of the holidays. In contrast, supply remained steady in Burkina Faso and Chad, though demand in some areas started to soften.

India: Prices Dip as Imports Surge & Demand Stays Weak

The raw Sesame prices have fallen by USD 0,12 per kg over the last three weeks, with Natural Sortex sesame now at USD 1,54 per kg. On the other hand hulled sesame prices at Mundra Port held steady at USD 1,94–1,96 per kg.

Domestic demand remains sluggish, which is keeping pressure on prices. The sesame imports jumped 21% YoY, reaching 150,496 MT, with Brazil leading as the top supplier. Gujarat farmers are stockpiling 400–500 MT of black sesame ahead of the upcoming harvest.

Key Takeaways:

The drop in prices is mostly due to high supply in the domestic market. With summer sowing expected to increase, a strong sesame harvest seems likely in the coming months. However, rising imports could prevent prices from rebounding quickly.

China: Buyers Pause, But Imports Keep Growing

China’s sesame market saw a slowdown as Qingdao port stocks rose to 170,432 MT by January 27, 2025, with demand easing ahead of the holidays. Despite this, imports remained strong, increasing 27.5% YoY to 1,080,821 MT between January and November. Supply sources also shifted, with Niger, Mozambique, and Tanzania increasing their exports to China, while Pakistan’s shipments declined slightly. This, along with weaker demand, pushed import prices down from USD 1,67 per kg in 2023 to USD 1,60 per kg in 2024, signaling a reduced buying appetite.

Nigeria: Stable Prices as Harvest Improves

In Nigeria, prices remained firm at USD 1,60–1,65 per kg, with improved harvest conditions helping to stabilize the market. While earlier supply concerns had traders cautious, better-than-expected yields have kept availability steady.

Burkina Faso: Supply Holds, But Demand Softens

In Burkina Faso, supply held stable, but demand showed signs of slowing. The market remained active, but buyers exercised caution, leading to steady prices ranging from USD 1,21–1,24 per kg, depending on the region.

Chad: Trading Remains Strong Despite Low Stocks

Chad’s sesame market remained strong, even as producer stocks ran low. Prices remained stable, fluctuating between USD 1,36–1,55 per kg, as buyers scrambled to secure available stock.

Senegal: Buyers Hold Back as Prices Decline

Meanwhile, in Senegal, weaker buyer interest in central regions led to a drop in trading activity. At Kaolack Port, prices fell to USD 1,09 per kg, reflecting reduced export demand.

Overall, global sesame prices are adjusting to changing supply and demand conditions, with some regions holding firm while others face declining buyer interest. Shipping costs are also dropping. Freight rates declined sharply this week, with Shanghai-to-Rotterdam rates down 19%, making exports more affordable.

India’s Imports Are Rising Fast: A 21% YoY increase suggests India is relying more on imported sesame, despite a healthy domestic harvest.

China’s Buying Power is Cooling Off: A price drop from USD 1,673 per MT to USD 1,603 per MT signals weaker demand from Chinese buyers.

What’s Next?

China’s sesame buying is expected to pick up after the holidays, which could help stabilize global prices. However, India’s rising imports and strong domestic harvest may keep its prices under pressure.

For exporters, Chad and Senegal are markets to watch, as trading volumes remain unpredictable. Keeping an eye on shipping costs will also be key, as declining freight rates could open up new export opportunities.





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