PlainTariff
Trade Data / Commodity

Sesame seed

Global agricultural trade data from FAO FAOSTAT. Showing cumulative 2018–2023 values for top 50 trading nations.

FAO Code: 289
Global Exports
$18.6B
2018–2023 total
Global Imports
$22.0B
2018–2023 total
Top Exporter
India
Top Importer
China; mainland

About Sesame seed Trade Data

This page tracks global trade flows for Sesame seed (FAO code 289) across the top 50 agricultural trading nations. Cumulative export value for 2018–2023 reached $18.6B, while global imports totaled $22.0B. The scale of this tariff-sensitive commodity matters because shifts in US import duties, Section 301 actions, or bilateral free trade agreements can move prices and supply lines in weeks rather than years.

India leads global exports of Sesame seed, while China; mainland is the largest importer. US tariff classification depends on the exact product form (raw, processed, packaged), so importers should map each shipment to a specific HTS code before quoting landed cost. Trade balance between exporting and importing nations reveals structural dependencies that tariff policy can either reinforce or disrupt.

Use this data to benchmark supplier countries, estimate market concentration, and anticipate how tariff changes ripple through Sesame seed supply chains. All figures come from FAO FAOSTAT Trade: Crops and Livestock (TCL), converted from FAO 1000 USD reporting units to USD. Combine the trend table, top exporter/importer rankings, and the linked US HTS chapter to build a complete picture of where Sesame seed moves, how much is traded, and what tariffs apply at the US border.

Trade Trend (2019–2023)

Year Total Exports (top 50 countries) Total Imports (top 50 countries)
2019 $986.3M $3.2B
2020 $982.7M $3.2B
2021 $1.1B $3.2B
2022 $1.0B $3.4B
2023 $1.6B $3.9B

Top Exporters (2023)

# Country Export Value
1 India $489.3M
2 Pakistan $414.5M
3 Brazil $219.9M
4 Türkiye $124.0M
5 China; mainland $101.5M
6 Egypt $51.5M
7 Netherlands (Kingdom of the) $39.1M
8 United Arab Emirates $23.5M
9 Germany $23.2M
10 United States of America $9.2M

Top Importers (2023)

# Country Import Value
1 China; mainland $1.5B
2 Türkiye $486.1M
3 Japan $321.9M
4 India $205.2M
5 Republic of Korea $162.3M
6 Iran (Islamic Republic of) $118.0M
7 Saudi Arabia $115.7M
8 Egypt $94.8M
9 United States of America $89.0M
10 Germany $85.8M

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries export the most Sesame seed?
India is the largest exporter of Sesame seed by value. The top exporters table shows cumulative trade values from the top 50 agricultural trading nations based on FAO FAOSTAT data (2018–2023).
Which countries import the most Sesame seed?
China; mainland is the largest importer of Sesame seed by value. Import volumes reflect demand patterns across the top 50 trading nations tracked by the FAO.
How has global trade in Sesame seed changed over time?
The trend table above shows year-over-year changes in total export and import values for Sesame seed from the top 50 trading nations. Values are aggregated from FAO FAOSTAT Trade: Crops and Livestock (TCL) data.
What tariffs apply to importing Sesame seed into the US?
US import duties for agricultural products are set by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The specific duty rate depends on the exact HTS classification of the product. Use the chapter and heading pages on PlainTariff to find the exact rate.
Where does the trade data come from?
All agricultural trade data comes from FAO FAOSTAT Trade: Crops and Livestock (TCL), published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Values are reported in USD (converted from FAO 1000 USD units).

Source: FAO FAOSTAT Trade: Crops and Livestock (TCL). Data covers the top 50 agricultural trading nations. Values in USD (converted from 1000 USD units). Years: 2018–2023.

Related

Data sourced from official USITC HTS and FAO international trade data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainTariff Editorial