Sesame seeds exports from Ethiopia: data, top buyers and prices
Ethiopia exported $240.4 million of sesame seeds in 2024 (125.1 thousand tonnes). It ranks 9th of 147 countries for exports of this product. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2020, at $439.0 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $240.4M | 125.1K t |
| 2023 | $239.6M | 116.2K t |
| 2022 | $246.1M | 121.8K t |
| 2021 | $381.1M | 211.1K t |
| 2020 | $439.0M | 261.4K t |
| 2019 | $405.7M | 218.5K t |
| 2018 | $343.4M | 239.7K t |
| 2017 | $329.5M | 283.5K t |
Where Ethiopia exports sesame seeds to
China alone took 68% of it. Among the main buyer markets, China grew fastest (+198% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $163.8M | 68% |
| Israel | $33.7M | 14% |
| Turkey | $18.9M | 7.9% |
| Japan | $16.8M | 7% |
| Kuwait | $4.0M | 1.7% |
| Greece | $851K | 0.4% |
| Egypt | $656K | 0.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | $531K | 0.2% |
| Netherlands | $368K | 0.2% |
| Bulgaria | $195K | 0.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.92 per kg, close to the world average of $1.78.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in Ethiopia?
The shipment records behind Ethiopia sesame seeds exports (HS 1207.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1207.40: Oil seeds: sesamum seeds, whether or not broken.
Common questions
What is the value of sesame seeds exported by Ethiopia?
Ethiopia exported sesame seeds worth $240.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 125.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 9th of 147 countries worldwide, with 5% of world exports. The value was up 0% on 2023.
Which countries buy sesame seeds from Ethiopia?
China was the largest buyer with 68% of the value ($163.8 million), followed by Israel (14%) and Turkey (8%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 28 buyer countries in total. Kuwait grew fastest among the top ten, up 274% on the year.
What is the average export price of sesame seeds per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.92 per kg in 2024, 8% above the world average of $1.78 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of sesame seeds from Ethiopia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $329.5 million in 2017 to $240.4 million in 2024, a fall of 27%. The peak was 2020 at $439.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $328.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for sesame seeds?
The HS code for sesame seeds is subheading 1207.40. It sits in HS chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1207 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Ethiopia, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for Ethiopia
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.