Guide to India's Sesame Seed (Til) Exports: Types, Markets, and Prices

India became the world's top sesame seed exporter in 2023. Along with Nigeria and Sudan, India made up 45% of global export value in 2024. The sesame seeds export (India) sector is very competitive. However, where the seeds come from truly matters.

Indian white and hulled sesame sells for a much higher price. This is because they offer better purity. They have cleaner machine sorting. They also come with strict food safety certificates. Cheaper African seeds cannot match this quality. Premium food buyers always prefer the Indian quality. The til export India market creates $456 to $497 million in value each year. This makes it a huge opportunity for global trade.

Why Buy Indian Sesame Over African?

The African Threat

Countries like Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Tanzania are growing fast. In fact, Africa is seeing a rapid 9.8% growth rate in sesame farming through 2031. These African seeds usually cost less than Indian shipments. But African suppliers face well-known problems. Their sorting quality changes often. Their moisture levels are not stable. They also lack strong food safety rules.

India's Strong Advantages

The top sesame exporters India has to offer hold strong advantages.

• India gives very high purity levels. This is usually between 99.90% and 99.95%.
• This pure quality comes from advanced Auto Sortex machines.
• India has a great safety setup with APEDA, FSSAI, and HACCP rules.
• These rules meet the strict needs of buyers in Japan, South Korea, and the EU.
• India has two harvest seasons. This means buyers can get seeds all year long. African countries usually just have one crop.

Advice for Bulk Buyers

Are you buying for oil extraction or animal feed? If you need cheap prices, African seeds might be better. Are you buying for premium food, bakery, or tahini? Then you should buy Indian seeds. Indian seeds promise high purity and good safety papers.

Understanding White and Hulled Sesame Exports

You must know the difference between processing methods for sesame seed B2B trade. The white sesame export India market is huge. Food makers love natural white seeds. These seeds keep their outer skin. This gives them a nice look and a good crunch.

Premium hulled sesame export is different. These seeds go through complex machines or water paths to remove the skin. This leaves a pure white seed. The hulled seed is much softer. It also tastes much sweeter. You absolutely need hulled seeds to make top-quality tahini.

Current Prices for Sesame Seeds Per Kg

The global average price for exported sesame was $2,188 per ton in 2024. This is about $2.19 per kg. India charges a bit more because of its high quality. You must track the exact sesame seed price per kg to plan your buying costs.

Note: These are 2024-2026 FOB India prices based on Tridge and IndexBox data. Local Indian wholesale rates are about ₹83 to ₹110 per kg. FOB prices include extra costs for sorting and packing.

Customs and HS Codes for Sesame Seeds

Getting your customs codes right is very important. This helps you avoid port delays. The main sesame seed HS code India uses for bulk trade is 12074090. This code covers natural white, brown, and black seeds. These are seeds meant for eating or processing. Buyers use this code to figure out their local import taxes.

Top Markets Buying Indian Sesame

The til export India network is very wide. It sends seeds to eight major global markets:

• China: They are the top buyer in the world. They buy 39% of global imports. They buy mostly raw seeds to crush for oil.
• South Korea: They are the top buyer of Indian seeds by money spent. They buy seeds for refined oil and fresh cold-pressed oil. The South Korea sesame India trade grew a lot recently. South Korea removed its import tax on Indian sesame oil.
• United States: This is a high-value market. Buyers want premium hulled seeds for health foods and baking. They require strict FDA safety rules.
• Russia: They buy raw seeds often. They use them mostly for oil and food making. They buy in very large volumes.
• Japan: Buyers here want seeds hulled by machines. They want seeds that look perfect. They demand strict optical sorting.
• Vietnam: This country is a regional hub. They buy Indian seeds to eat at home and to sell again to other countries.
• Saudi Arabia and UAE: Their demand for tahini and bakery items is growing fast. They strongly prefer premium hulled seeds.
• Germany and EU: Demand is going up for health foods. Organic seeds are popular here. Buyers must meet strict EU chemical limits.

Packing, Shipping, and Top Export Ports

Bulk Packaging Rules

Top sesame exporters pack seeds carefully to keep them safe.

• They use 15 kg, 25 kg, or 50 kg bags.
• These bags are made of multi-wall paper or strong plastic (PP).

Shipping Container Sizes

• A 20-Foot Container (TEU) holds 18 to 19 metric tons.
• A 40-Foot Container (FEU) holds 26 to 27 metric tons.

Key Export Ports

Three main ports handle Indian sesame seeds. These are Mundra, Kandla, and Chennai. The Mundra Kandla sesame export centers handle most of the bulk shipments to Asia and the Middle East. This is because they are close to Gujarat. Gujarat grows the most sesame in India. The Chennai port mostly handles ships going to South and Southeast Asia. Buyers must watch port traffic during the busy October harvest.