US Sesame Imports Shrink as Cheaper Supplies Fail to Lift Demand

US sesame imports are sliding in 2026 even as international prices soften markedly, underlining a weak demand environment and comfortable availability from multiple origins. Cheaper offers have reduced US purchasing costs but have not yet triggered a solid demand rebound from processors and food manufacturers. US buyers are importing less sesame and paying significantly lower prices than a year ago. Volumes remain range-bound while sourcing patterns shift away from India toward Guatemala, Pakistan and Nigeria. For now, buyers appear well covered, and import interest is closely tied to real off-take in bakery, tahini and ethnic-food channels rather than price alone.

Prices

During January–June 2026, the United States imported 16,296 tonnes of sesame, down 5% from 17,092 tonnes a year earlier, but the value of these imports fell a sharper 20% to USD 31.36 million from USD 39.12 million. The average import price dropped 16% to about USD 1,924 per tonne, confirming a clear downtrend from the higher levels seen in 2024 and early 2025.

In June alone, US imports reached 2,442 tonnes (‑9% year on year), with spending down 20% to USD 4.71 million. The June average import price of USD 1,926 per tonne was 13% below June 2025, underscoring the ongoing easing in international sesame values.

Current spot indications (converted to EUR)

Recent transactional offers for sesame seeds suggest a still-soft but slightly mixed price environment by origin and quality:

Price spreads remain wide across qualities (white hulled, natural, black, golden) and certifications (conventional vs organic), but the overall tone is weak to slightly bearish.

Supply & Demand

The fall in US import volumes, despite significantly lower prices, signals subdued downstream demand rather than supply tightness. Monthly US sesame imports fluctuated between roughly 2,400 and 3,000 tonnes in the first half of 2026, indicating steady but unexciting throughput in bakery, tahini and ethnic-food segments.

India remains the largest supplier to the US but has lost volume compared with the same period of 2025. Guatemala and Pakistan have increased shipments and gained share, while Nigeria has also sent larger volumes. Imports from Paraguay, Mexico, Lebanon and China remain minor, yet the broader supplier pool underpins comfortable availability and keeps a lid on prices.

Lower import prices benefit US processors and food manufacturers, improving crushing and blending margins. However, the lack of a volume response shows that many buyers are still working through existing inventories or are cautious about near-term consumption trends. Purchasing remains highly tactical and requirement-driven.

Weather & Crop Context

Global sesame supply into late 2026 is shaped mainly by Asian and African crop prospects. Key producing regions in India and East Africa are currently entering or progressing through critical growth phases; local mandi prices in India in late August point to ample spot availability but no major weather shock priced in so far.

With no recent evidence of large-scale crop losses, the international balance for 2026/27 looks comfortable. This backdrop reinforces the bearish bias on prices unless unexpected weather issues emerge in the coming weeks in major producing belts.

Fundamentals & Trade Flows

The sharp 20% drop in US sesame import expenditure in H1 2026, against only a 5% decline in volume, highlights how far prices have retreated from the 2024–early 2025 peak. At an average of roughly USD 1,924 per tonne, US import costs are now closely aligned with competitive FOB offers from India and African origins.

Origin-level pricing differentials remain important. Indian hulled EU-grade material is currently indicated around EUR 1,500 per tonne FOB, with natural grades cheaper but black and specialty grades priced higher. Egyptian natural and golden sesame prices are sitting modestly above Indian natural grades, while Chad-origin hulled seeds into Europe are near EUR 1,600 per tonne FCA, reflecting logistics and quality premiums.

On the demand side, processors for bakery and snack applications continue to buy hand-to-mouth. Import programs are staggered, and participants are in no rush to cover forward as long as the global supply picture remains benign and international offers stay soft.

Outlook & Trading Recommendations

In the short term, the sesame market is likely to remain under gentle downward or sideways pressure. The combination of weak US import demand, diversified supply from India, Guatemala, Pakistan and Nigeria, and the absence of major weather disruptions suggests limited upside risk into early Q4 2026.

Trading outlook (next 4–6 weeks)

• US and EU buyers: Continue staggered, demand-based purchasing rather than front-loading coverage. Consider modest additional coverage if CIF/FCA values dip another 2–3% versus current EUR levels.
• Exporters in India and Africa: Focus on differentiation by purity, colour and certification, as origin price spreads are narrowing. Lock in sales on price rallies driven by temporary logistics or currency moves.
• Processors: Use the current low-price window to improve margins but avoid overstocking; recent US import patterns indicate that end-user demand has not fully recovered.

3-day directional price view (EUR)

• India, FOB New Delhi (hulled white, 99.95–99.98%): Stable to slightly softer; expected range around EUR 1,430–1,540/tonne.
• Egypt, FOB Cairo (natural white): Mostly stable; around EUR 1,400–1,450/tonne with limited short-term volatility.
• Chad → EU, FCA Berlin (hulled, 99.95%): Slight downward bias; near EUR 1,580–1,620/tonne as buyers resist higher offers.