Record Import Year for China

China’s sesame seed imports reached a record 1.46 million metric tons (MMT) in 2025, up 23% year-over-year, driven by strong African supply and softer global prices

According to the country-wise import table (page 5), total imports rose from 1.18 MMT in 2024 to 1.46 MMT in 2025, while the average import price declined 15% to USD 1,337 per metric ton

The surge highlights aggressive procurement in the second half of the year as buyers capitalized on price corrections.

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Niger Leads Supply as Brazil Gains Ground

The country-wise import breakdown (page 5) shows:

• Niger: 456,454 MT at USD 1,312/MT

• Tanzania: 171,078 MT at USD 1,290/MT

• Brazil: 159,827 MT at USD 1,035/MT

• Togo: 130,731 MT

• Mozambique: 121,765 MT

Brazil strengthened its position among the top suppliers by offering highly competitive pricing.

Pakistan’s shipments to China declined sharply compared to 2024, reflecting shifting sourcing dynamics.

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Monthly Trend Shows Strong Second-Half Buying

The month-wise table (page 5) indicates peak arrivals in:

• September: 183,121 MT

• March: 159,653 MT

• October: 142,789 MT

December 2025 imports declined slightly year-over-year (-2%), but full-year growth remained strong.

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Sesame Oil Exports Stable but Under Price Pressure

China’s sesame oil exports reached 9,060 MT in 2025, up 2% year-over-year, according to the export table

However:

• Export value declined 1%

• Average export price fell 3% to USD 4,428/MT

Major export destinations included:

• Singapore (1,497 MT)

• United States (1,239 MT)

• Vietnam (804 MT)

• Indonesia (727 MT)

Price softness limited revenue gains despite higher volumes.

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EU and Japan Tighten Border Controls

🇪🇺 European Union

EU border rejections (Jan–Feb 24, 2026) were highest for:

• Sudan: 7 cases (documentation gaps)

• Nigeria: 2 cases (Salmonella contamination)

• India: 2 cases (chlorpyrifos residues)

Nigeria’s cases were classified as serious risk due to pathogenic contamination.

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🇯🇵 Japan

Japan reported import rejections from:

• Mozambique (2 cases)

• Tanzania (2 cases)

Detected residues included thiamethoxam, carbaryl, and chlorpyrifos

Food safety compliance remains a central risk factor for exporters.

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India and Pakistan Market Update

🇮🇳 India

Summer sesame sowing stands at 12,000 hectares, unchanged from last year (page 4).

New crop arrivals have started in Tamil Nadu and are expected to increase from mid-March. Gujarat currently records the highest inflows at 6,000–7,000 bags daily

Domestic prices (as of Feb 23) show marginal movement, with export-grade hulled sesame slightly down week-over-week.

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🇵🇰 Pakistan

Pakistan’s sesame production in 2025 is estimated at 300,000–320,000 MT, down due to reduced harvested acreage (page 4).

Exports to China fell sharply from 177,641 MT in 2024 to 87,573 MT in 2025.

However, shipments to South Korea nearly doubled, reflecting diversification toward East Asian and GCC markets

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Currency Snapshot

According to the forex table

• Indian Rupee depreciated 0.26% week-over-week

• West African Franc weakened 0.72%

• Euro declined 0.55% against the USD

Currency movements continue to influence export competitiveness across origins.

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🔎 CMB Outlook

The 2025 sesame trade year was defined by:

• Record Chinese imports

• Broad price correction (-15%)

• Strong African supply dominance

• Competitive Brazilian pricing

• Heightened food safety scrutiny in the EU and Japan

For 2026, the market enters a consolidation phase.

Key variables to monitor:

• Chinese post-holiday buying momentum

• African supply quality compliance

• India crop arrival strength

• Currency trends in West Africa and Asia

While global availability remains comfortable, compliance and currency risks will shape trade flows in the coming months.