The Global Production of Sesame Seeds standing at 4.6 million metric ton in 2017 is expected to register a CAGR of 1.3% during the forecast period (2018-2023). China and India are the top producers and traders of sesame seed at the time of this writing.

Domestic Market: Ethiopia known to be a center of origin for cultivated sesame, produced around 201,664 Tons of Sesame seed during the Meher Sesaon (September > February Harvest period) of year 2018/2019, covering 294,819 hectares of land.

Product Varieties: Two major types of sesame seeds of commercial value are found in Ethiopia “WHITE HUMERA” and “WELLEGA”. You will also find a mixture of names that branch out of both these varieties such as “Adi, Abasena, Qelfo 74, Mehado-80, Argene, Terkamo, E, S, T-85 and Tate”. White humera are bigger in size and more white in color, Wellega is smaller and darker yellow.

Agro-Ecological Conditions: Growth of sesame is indeterminant. The plant continues to produce leaves and flowers so long as the weather is suitable. Roughly 29 grams each, seeds of lighter colors are considered higher quality. Sesame is drought tolerant but not tolerant of water logging.
Having the potential to grow in different parts of the country, sesame is mainly found in northern and northwestern regions of Ethiopia, Humera and Wellega, and as you can see the seeds are named according to their growing place.

Commercial: 32.31% was utilized for household consumption, 57.66% for sale; while the balance was used for seed, wage in kind, and animal feed (according to utilization survey data on national production of sesame seed)

Global Market: Ethiopian sesame production is in the forefront in the global market. 2019 registered 296,001 Metric Tons, ranking Ethiopia number six after Nigeria and China. The increased global demand for sesame has turned it into an important export commodity. World production of sesame seed, in 2019, reached 6.55 million tons.

Prices: Sesame seed wholesale prices exhibit high inter year variations, reflecting supply and demand trends of the world sesame seed market.

Escalating global demand for sesame seed for oil, hummus, tahini, toppings on sushi, confectionery, health foods, will enhance future production in countries such as Ethiopia.