Sesame FOB Prices Ease in Egypt and India Amid Steady Crop Conditions

Sesame export prices from Egypt and India softened slightly this week, with most grades drifting lower in a narrow range while physical demand remains cautious. Weather in key producing zones is seasonally hot but not yet threatening, and monsoon conditions in India are broadly supportive for kharif oilseeds. Over the next few days, prices are likely to remain mildly pressured, with buyers retaining the upper hand in nearby shipments. In Egypt, Upper Egypt and Nile Valley sesame areas stay very hot and dry under stable summer conditions, with no major rainfall disruptions expected through mid‑next week, supporting harvest and logistics rather than threatening yields . In India, the southwest monsoon has advanced across the main oilseed belt and recent updates point to generally adequate rainfall in Rajasthan, Gujarat and central India, easing earlier deficit concerns and underpinning normal to slightly improved oilseed sowing . Export buying interest from Asia and the Middle East is described as selective, with buyers resisting higher offers and favouring origins showing incremental discounts.

Prices

All prices below are converted from USD to EUR at ~1 EUR = 1.10 USD and refer to latest available FOB levels as of 14 August 2026.

Indian sesame offers remain broadly aligned with other African origins once CNF to key Asian destinations is considered, with recent indicative CNF white and hulled offers from competing suppliers in the range of ~1.70–1.80 EUR/kg equivalent . This caps upside for both Indian and Egyptian FOB values in the near term.

Supply & Demand

In Egypt (EG), sesame supply for export is currently shaped by steady farm selling and limited domestic processing growth. With no recent reports of weather shocks or policy changes impacting oilseeds in the last few days, exportable availability appears stable, keeping sellers willing to negotiate around current FOB ideas to secure August–September shipments.

In India (IN), sesame competes with other kharif oilseeds for acreage. Recent monsoon commentary suggests that, after a delayed and uneven onset, rainfall coverage has improved across key oilseed states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, reducing immediate yield risk for the upcoming sesame crop . On the demand side, buying from China, Japan and Middle Eastern destinations is present but price sensitive, with buyers comparing India closely against Nigerian, Mozambican and Sudanese origins, which have been offering competitive CNF levels into Asia .

Weather & Crop Outlook (EG, IN)

Egypt (Upper Egypt / Nile Valley): Forecasts for the next 3–5 days indicate continued very hot, dry summer conditions with maximum temperatures widely above 35–38°C and negligible rainfall in Upper Egypt and the Nile Valley. Such patterns favour uninterrupted field operations and transport but can stress late crops without sufficient irrigation; however, irrigated sesame in Egypt is generally resilient under these conditions when water access is normal.

India (Rajasthan, Gujarat, central belt): Latest monsoon discussions point to an active to normal phase over northwestern and central India in August, after earlier shortfalls in June. This supports soil moisture for sesame and other oilseeds, with no reports in the last few days of large-scale flooding or prolonged dry spells in the main producing belt . Overall, near-term weather is mildly constructive for yield potential, arguing against any immediate weather-led price spike.

Fundamentals & Price Drivers

• Competitive global offers: Recent international reference offers show white and hulled sesame from multiple origins into Asia around 1.70–1.80 EUR/kg CNF equivalent, keeping a ceiling on FOB increases from Egypt and India .
• Improving monsoon backdrop: Better rainfall distribution across India’s oilseed belt versus early-season deficits has reduced weather risk premium for sesame, encouraging slightly softer export offers from Indian sellers .
• Steady but cautious demand: End-user and trader demand in key markets remains cautious, with some preference for spot over forward coverage given comfortable short-term availability and expectations of adequate new-crop flows.
• Currency and freight: With only modest FX volatility and broadly stable freight rates reported in the wider agri export space over recent days, the main price action is coming from origin competition rather than logistics or macro shocks.

Trading Outlook & 3‑Day Price Indication

• Buyers (roasters, tahini, importers): Consider scaling into coverage on dips at or slightly below today’s levels, especially for Egyptian natural and Indian hulled EU‑grade where week‑on‑week easing offers some value. Avoid chasing higher prices; competition from African origins is likely to restrain rallies near term.
• Origin sellers (EG, IN): Maintain price discipline but remain flexible on nearby shipments. Small discounts versus last week can help secure August–September business before larger new‑crop volumes arrive from Africa and parts of Asia later in the year.
• Traders: The market currently favours short‑term, basis‑driven trades rather than directional bets. Spreads between natural and hulled, and between white and black varieties, remain relatively stable; opportunities lie in origin arbitrage, particularly into price‑sensitive Asian destinations.

3‑Day Directional Outlook (EUR, FOB):

• Egypt, Cairo – Natural & Golden Sesame: Mild downward to sideways bias (−0.01 to −0.02 EUR/kg potential), as sellers stay competitive and no new supply shocks are visible.
• India, New Delhi – Hulled & Natural Sesame: Slightly soft to stable tone, with most grades likely to trade within ±0.01–0.02 EUR/kg of current levels, given supportive monsoon conditions and steady export interest.