Indian Sesame Softens as Sowing Surges; Egypt FOB Holds Firm

Indian sesame prices are edging softer in euro terms as record sowing in key producing state Gujarat points to a more comfortable 2026 supply, while Egyptian FOB offers remain broadly steady but firm.

India is clearly shifting from a tight nearby balance to a more balanced, potentially buyer‑friendly market into late 2026. A 14.6% year‑on‑year increase in Gujarat sesame sowing and strong gains versus the three‑year average signal larger supplies ahead, even as current spot export prices in New Delhi show only mild softening. In Egypt, trade indications for white sesame exports remain competitive but do not yet show the same easing bias, with local exporters actively marketing product for bulk shipments.

📈 Prices & Spreads (All in EUR/kg)

Based on current export indications and a working rate of 1.07 USD/EUR, Indian FOB/FCA sesame offers translate into roughly the following euro levels:

Origin	Location / Term	Product	Quality	Indicative Price (EUR/kg)	1‑Week Trend
India	New Delhi, FOB	Hulled, EU‑grade	99.95–99.98%	≈ 1.33–1.36	Sideways to slightly softer
India	New Delhi, FOB	Natural white	≈99–99.5%	≈ 1.05–1.08	Flat
India	New Delhi, FOB	Black (regular–semi Z)	High purity	≈ 1.90–2.05	Mildly softer vs early April
Egypt	Cairo, FOB	White / golden natural	Export grade	≈ 1.80–2.05	Steady

Indian export‑grade prices have eased modestly in mid‑April in euro terms, especially for standard hulled qualities, in line with broader reports of softer offers in New Delhi. Egyptian offers for white sesame remain competitive in the global market but show no clear downtrend over the last week.

🌍 Supply & Demand Drivers

India: Record sowing & Chinese stocks cap upside

• Gujarat’s sesame area for the 2026 season is reported up about 14.55% year‑on‑year and roughly 116% of the three‑year average, pointing to potentially large supplies from September onward if weather cooperates.
• Reports highlight a broader softening in Indian sesame as this record sowing collides with rising Chinese port inventories, creating a short‑term buyer’s market.
• Export demand from China, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East remains crucial; without a clear demand spike, the enlarged Indian crop is likely to cap or pressure prices into Q4 2026.

Egypt: Stable export pipeline, niche quality play

• Egyptian exporters continue to offer white sesame for international buyers, with recent listings emphasising steady annual capacity and standard bulk packaging rather than aggressive discounting.
• Japan Oilseed Processors data show Egypt’s sesame exports have grown strongly over the last years, underpinning its role as a stable, though smaller, origin compared with India.
• For Mediterranean and EU buyers, Egyptian origin remains attractive for logistics and lead‑time advantages, which helps explain the relatively steady FOB price structure this week.

📊 Fundamentals & Weather Context (IN, EG)

India (key sesame belts)

• National agromet guidance up to mid‑April flagged very limited rainfall over major central and eastern states but unusually high early‑season rainfall over Gujarat since March, improving initial soil moisture.
• With sowing already advanced and no recent reports of weather stress in the last few days, current fundamentals lean bearish: seedbed conditions are adequate and acreage is high.
• Key risk remains the upcoming monsoon: any disruption from June onwards could quickly tighten the outlook again, but this is not yet reflected in short‑term prices.

Egypt (Delta & Upper Egypt)

• Short‑term weather in Cairo and surrounding delta shows hot, dry conditions with daytime highs around 28–34°C and virtually no rain through April 30, supporting harvest logistics and seed drying rather than causing stress.
• The Egyptian Meteorological Authority expects only a slight temperature rise versus normal; no disruptive heat spikes or storms are indicated over the coming days.
• For sesame, such stable, dry weather is neutral‑to‑supportive for quality and for maintaining firm FOB offer levels.

📆 Short‑Term Price & Trading Outlook

Trading recommendations (next 1–2 weeks)

• EU/MEA buyers of hulled white (IN origin): Use current mild softness in New Delhi offers to secure nearby to early‑Q3 coverage; consider staggering purchases as Indian acreage and Chinese stock data argue against an imminent price spike.
• Buyers focused on Egyptian origin: Expect steady, not cheaper, offers in the very short term; use Egypt mainly for logistics diversification and quality differentiation rather than for price arbitrage this week.
• Speculative buyers: Downside from here appears limited but not exhausted for Indian sesame; cautious scale‑down buying on further dips may be appropriate, with an eye on early monsoon updates.

3‑Day Directional Outlook (EUR/kg, indicative)

• India – New Delhi FOB, hulled white (EU‑grade): Stable to slightly softer. Range expected around ≈ 1.32–1.36 EUR/kg as strong sowing and comfortable Chinese stocks weigh on sentiment.
• India – New Delhi FOB, natural white: Largely steady near ≈ 1.05–1.08 EUR/kg; limited fresh newsflow and balanced spot demand.
• Egypt – Cairo FOB, white / golden natural: Firm, sideways bias in the ≈ 1.80–2.05 EUR/kg band, supported by stable export interest and benign local weather.