CHAPTER 15

SESAME
1. Introduction
Sesame is commonly known as Till. Its botanical name is Sesamum indicum L. It is one of
the earliest domesticated plants. It is a short duration crop grown throughout the year. The seeds of
the plant yield edible oil. Due to the presence of potent antioxidant, sesame seeds are known as the
seed of immortality. Two distinct types of seed are recognized, the white and the black. There are
also intermediate coloured varieties varying from red to rose or from brown or grey.
World scenario
India ranks first in the area, however, as per 2006 data it comes after China in production of

sesame seeds in the world. During the year 2007 however, India leads world in sesame production.
India's contribution to the production of sesame seeds in the world is 18.8% in 2006-07. Other major
sesame producing countries are China (19.9%), Myanmar (17.3%), Sudan (5.9%), Uganda (4.9%),
Nigeria (2.9%), Pakistan (0.8%), Ethiopia (4.7%) and Bangladesh (1.4%). The productivity of sesame
in India is 0.33 tons/ha compared to world average of 0.44 tons/ha in the year 2006-07.
Table 15.1: Area, production and productivity of sesame (2006)
COUNTRY

AREA
('000 ha)

PRODUCTION
('000 tons)

PRODUCTIVITY
(tons/ha)

% SHARE OF
WORLD
PRODUCTION

1,900.0

628.0

0.33

18.8

640.0

665.0

1.03

19.9

Myanmar

1,570.0

580.0

0.36

17.3

Sudan

1,270.0

200.0

0.15

5.9

Uganda

276.0

166.0

0.60

4.9

Ethiopia

219.6

159.0

0.72

4.7

Nigeria

196.0

100.0

0.51

2.9

Pakistan

68.2

29.5

0.43

0.8

Bangladesh

80.0

50.0

0.62

1.4

Others

1,319.6

760.4

0.57

22.7

World

7,539.4

3,337.9

0.44

India
China

Source: http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567

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2. Major producing states

Gujarat is the leading sesame producing state contributing 22.3% of total production,
followed by West Bengal (19.2%), Karnataka (13.5%), Rajasthan (9.8%), Madhya Pradesh (9.06%),
Tamil Nadu (4.7%), Andhra Pradesh (4.52%) and Maharashtra (4.52%). Details are given below in

table 15.2.
Table 15.2: Area, production and productivity of leading sesame growing states in India
STATES

AREA('000 ha)

PRODUCTION
('000 tons)

PRODUCTIVITY
(tons/ha)

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

402.4

371.9

364.0

240.8

117.1

143.0

0.59

0.31

0.39

163.3

148.4

146.0

143.0

125.1

123.1

0.87

0.84

0.84

Karnataka

58.5

108.0

103.0

25.7

56.0

87.0

0.43

0.51

0.84

Rajasthan

311.8

446.7

422.1

141.2

148.7

62.8

0.45

0.33

0.14

Madhya
Pradesh

144.5

135.3

150.1

50.9

53.8

58.1

0.35

0.39

0.38

83.8

72.7

65.1

29.0

33.8

30.6

0.34

0.46

0.47

Andhra
Pradesh

161.0

210.0

116.0

43.0

38.0

29.0

0.26

0.18

0.25

Maharashtra

121.0

109.0

107.0

38.0

26.0

29.0

0.31

0.23

0.27

Others

363.1

350.0

352.9

93.9

131.6

165.5

0.25

0.48

0.46

674.1

641.1

0.46

0.36

0.37

Gujarat
West Bengal

Tamil Nadu

Total

1700.3 1844.0 1723.2 782.1

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation

http://www.dacnet.nic.in/eands/APY_96_To_06.htm

3. Commercial Sesame varieties

White, bold seeded varieties of sesame, which meet the export quality, are Nirmala, Gujarat
Til-2, JTS-8, HT-1, Tapi and Phule Til-1.

4. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

Adoption of improved varieties.

Integrated nutrient & water management.
Integrated pest and disease management.

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5. Harvesting season of crop in India

Harvest season of sesame in major states is depicted below
States

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Gujarat
West Bengal
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Andhra Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Fig. - 37
Source: Sesame (Technology for Increasing Production), JNKVV, Jabalpur

6. Arrival pattern
Maximum arrivals of crop are in the months of October to January. However, in certain states
arrivals are also reported in the months of February to June.

7 (a) Concentrated pockets

The details of the concentrated pockets of sesame are given below in table 15.3.
Table 15.3: Showing concentrated pockets of sesame in India
States

Important markets

Gujarat

Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Junagarh and Surendranagar

West Bengal

East Medinipur, Nadia, North Dinajpur, Burdwan, Kamrup, 24- North

Parganas, Birbhum

Rajasthan

Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, Alwar, Bharatpur, Pali

Tamil Nadu

Erode, Salem, Villupuram, Virdhachalam, Tiruchirapalli, Cuddalore

Andhra Pradesh

Hiramandalam, Rajam, Vizianagaram, Narasipatanam, Narasaraopet, Guduru,

Gudur, Kadapa, Chennur, Warangal, Tirumalagiri, Khamman

Madhya Pradesh

Sehore, Harda, Indore, Bhikangaon, Burhanpur, Khargone, Sabalgarh,

Seopurkala, Ajaygarh, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Damoh

Maharashtra

Jalgaon, Bodwad, Yawal, Khamgaon, Chopda, Pachora, Dhule, Ahmedpur,

Chalisgaon, Dharagaon

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7. b) Catchment area
Table 15.4: Showing the catchment areas feeding the market
States

Districts (market) Blocks

Gujarat

Rajkot

Malia, Morbi, Wankaner, Tankara, Paddhari, Lodhika,

Kotdasangani, Jusdan, Dhoraji, Upleta, Gondal

Amreli

Babra, Lilia, Vadia, Bagara, Dhari, Sarvarkundla, Khambha,

Rajula, Jafrabad

Bhuj

Nalia, Mandvi, Nakhatrana, Anjar, Gandhidham, Rajpur

East Medinipur

Tamluk

Nadia

Karimpur, Shantipur

North Dinajpur

Islampur

Burdwan

Kalna, Katwa

Kamrup

Bongaon

24-North Parganas

Baduria

West Bengal

Birbhum Nalhati, Rampurhat

Rajasthan

Tamil Nadu

Ganganagar Padampur, Pabusar, Binjor, Gharsana

Alwar

Bahror, Mandawar, Tijara, Jairoli, Nimli, Maoha,

Kishangarh, Ramgarh, Lanchhmangarh, Rajgarh

Erode

Dharapuram, Kangeyam, Satyamangalam,

Gopichettipalaiyam, Bhavani

Salem

Mettur, Idappadi, Sankagiri, Yercaud, Vazhappadi, Attur,

Gangavalli

Madhya Pradesh Indore

Maharashtra

Sanwer, Depalpur, Mhow, Khandel

Damoh

Batiagarh, Patharia, Hatta, Jabera, Tendukhed

Sehore

Barkhera, Duraha, Ichhawar, Ashta, Silkanth

Jalgaon

Chopda, Yaval, Raver, Edalbad, Bhusawal, Jamner, Pachora,

Bhadgaon, Chalisgaon, Parola, Amainer, Boradi

Dhule

Shirpur, Sindhkheda, Sakri, Nardana, Boradi, Sangvi

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8. Criteria and description of grades

A .Grade designation and definition of quality of sesame seeds as per AGMARK standard
Table 15.5: Grade designation and definition of quality of sesame seeds as per AGMARK
standard
Definition of quality
Grade
designati
on

A) Special characteristics
Foreign
matter (%
by weight,
maximum)

Immature,
Shrivelled and
dead seeds(%
by weight,
maximum)

Damaged &
discoloured
seeds (% by
weight,
maximum)

Total impurities
(total of column
2-4), % by
weight,
maximum

Admixture of
other
varieties/types(
% by weight,
maximum)

Moisture
content(%
by weight,
maximum)

Special

0.5

1.0

Nil

1.5

5.0

5.0

Good

1.0

2.0

1.0

3.0

10.0

6.0

General

2.0

3.0

2.0

5.0

15.0

7.0

B. General characteristics
a) The sesame seeds obtained from the plant Sesamum indicum linn Sya, family Pedaliaceae
b) Free from fungus and insect attack, live insects, obnoxious smell, rodent contamination,
excreta, non edible oil seeds, artificial colouration and all other impurities except to the extent
specified.
Definitions :
(1)

Foreign matter:

(2)

Damaged and discolored

seeds:

(3)

Immature shrivelled &

dead seeds:

(4)

Admixture of other
types/varieties:

means dust, lumps of earth, dirt, stones, stems, straw or any

other impurity and/ or any other edible/non edible seeds.

are the seeds that are materially or internally damaged or
discolored materially affecting the quality.
are the seeds which are imperfectly developed and or
shrunken. Dead seeds are those seeds which are duds
and can be easily crushed by finger.
Means admixture of brown/black and other colored Sesame
seeds in white and vice versa.

9. Packaging
Sesame seeds are packed in 50 Kg net in A-twill bags or B-twill jute gunny bags.

10. Distribution of produce from primary to terminal market

Sesame seeds from the state of Gujarat are distributed to Delhi, Mumbai etc for
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export/domestic consumption.
The sesame seeds from the markets of Andhra Pradesh are dispatched to markets of Tamil
Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka states.
Sesame seeds grown in West Bengal state are distributed to consumer markets within the state
and in states of Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh etc.

11. Price graph of sesame

Price Graph of Sesame in 2007
5000

January

4500

February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Price( R s/Qtl)

4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0

Gujarat

West Bengal

Rajasthan

States

Fig. - 38
*The above graph showing the price (in Rs./Qtl.) of sesame in major cities
Source: http://agmarknet.nic.in/agnew/NationalBEnglish/commoditywisedailyreport3.aspx

12. Exports and Export potential

A. Domestic strengths for exporting sesame are detailed below
India is the largest producer of sesame in the world.
There is good research support for sesame from ICAR Research Coordinating Centre on
Sesame, Jabalpur, IARI, New Delhi and SAUs located in different regions of the country to
provide solutions to various problems in its cultivation.
APEDA has sanctioned Agri-Export Zone in Gujarat covering Amreli, Bhavnagar,
Surendranagar, Rajkot and Jamnagar districts.
India has bred high yeilding cultivars and has been made available to cultivators.
B. Exports
Export data of FAO website shows that 218,970 tons of sesame seeds were exported from
India during 2001-02, however it declined to 118,376 tons during 2002-03. Thereafter there was
again good upsurge in exports during 2003-04 to 189,113 tons. Ultimately as per this database, 1,
99,808 tons were exported during 2005-06. No data for 2006-07 is available on FAO database;

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however Comtrade database shows exports of 233,345 tons during the year. (Table 15.6 & Fig.
39).This database also depicted 302,345 tons of exports during 2007.
Table 15.6: Export of sesame from India
Year Quantity(tons)
2002-2003

118376
2003-2004
189113
2004-2005
156664
2005-2006
199808
2006-2007
233345
Source: www. Fao.org and Comtrade Database

Value(Rs. Lakh)
37203
70043
65067
74513
93271

Export of sesame in last five years

Qu a n tity in to n s

250000
200000
150000
100000

2006 -200 7

2005 -200 6

2004 -200 5

2003 -200 4

2002 -200 3

50000

Years
Fig. - 39
C. Export potential
Export potential of sesame, region wise is discussed below:
(i) GCC countries
As per Comtrade database, GCC countries imported 45,849 tons of sesame during 2006.
There is 101% increase in demand. The largest importers were Saudi Arabia (28,626 tons),
UAE (14,463 tons) and Kuwait (2496 tons).However, Indias exports to GCC countries were
quite less as compared to the potential that exists. India exported only 3224 tons to UAE, 2726
tons to Saudi Arabia and 764 tons to Kuwait. Till 2005, India was the largest exporter to UAE,
however in 2006 India was overtaken by Ethiopia. Main competitions is from Ethiopia and
Sudan and are able to supply at cheaper rates, as they are near to GCC countries compared to
India. Moreover Indias productivity of sesame is 50% of the productivity of Ethiopia. Thus in

order to be competitive; India must enhance the productivity in addition, to quality standards.

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(ii) Middle East countries

India is exporting to the tune of 10,467 tons to Turkey, 1665 tons to Cyprus, 1069 tons to
Jordan and 153 tons to Morocco. India should nurture these markets to further enhance

exports. India must also explore export to Egypt as they imported 48,294 tons of sesame seeds
during 2006.
(iii) European Union
European Union imported sesame seeds of 1, 21,053 tons during 2006. The quantum of
imports decreased from 2003 level at 1%.
Indias exports to EU were maximum, as 48% of the requirements were met by India and
other exporters are Guatemala, Sudan, and Paraguay etc. supplying only limited quantity.
Largest importers of sesame from India during the year 2006 were Germany (14,288 tons),
Netherlands (11,993 tons), Greece (9748 tons), Poland (6231 tons), Italy (4671 tons), UK
(3343 tons) and France (2016 tons).India must keep up the momentum and to maintain
position as largest supplier/ exporter to EU must improve upon quality and cut on cost of
production to be more competitive.
(iv) ASEAN countries
ASEAN countries imported sesame seeds up to 22,510 tons during 2006.There is a 21.6%
increase in demand. India is meeting 60% demand of ASEAN countries. Main importers of
Indian sesame are Malaysia (7195 tons), Indonesia (3258 tons), Singapore (1876 tons) and
Philippines (921 tons).Major competition with India in ASEAN region is from Myanmar, but
India is able to make available sesame in these markets at competitive prices and can be much
more competitive if India can cut down on cost of production by increasing productivity in a
significant manner.
(v) Pacific Rim countries and China
Export potential in these countries is as follows:
(a) South Korea
South Korea imported 85,567 tons of sesame seeds during 2006. Out of this total
import, 38,686 tons were exported by India and 33,081 tons by China. India supplied at
much competitive price over China and thus there is a scope of increasing share in imports.
India must improve upon quality and reduction in costs.
(b) Australia
Australia imported 6604 tons of sesame during 2006, out of which India supplied 4836
tons and rest by Mexico, Guatemala and China. However India supplied sesame like in
South Korea at much competitive and cheaper price compared to other countries mentioned
above.
(c) China
China imported 2, 63,587 tons of sesame during 2006.Major exporters to China were
Ethiopia (1, 34,989 tons), Sudan (67,426 tons), and Tanzania (12,570 tons). India exported
only 13,487 tons during this year. India exported sesame at much competitive rates over
Ethiopia and Sudan.Next year in 2007 China imported 1, 94,461 tons of sesame. This year
Ethiopias share decreased and supplied only 75,563 tons, whereas Indias share increased
to 37,214 tons compared to 13487 tons in 2006.
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Since India is nearer to China compared to Ethiopia and Sudan and therefore India
must make a sincere effort to have more share in imports of China. This needs to be done

on priority by cutting cost of cultivation and improving quality, as China is largest importer
in the world because of massive demand of sesame in China.
(d) Japan
Japan is second largest importer of sesame next to China in the world and imported 1,
59,110 tons during the year 2006. India did not export sesame to Japan at all.
However, requirements of sesame were met by Nigeria (45,388 tons), Paraguay (21,986
tons), Tanzania (17,579 tons), China (9497 tons), Bolivia (10,439 tons) and Gautemala
(7369 tons). India must explore exports to Japanese market, as India is closer to Japan
compared to Gautemala, Paraguay, Nigeria, Tanzania etc and can offer much better
competitive price over Paraguay, China, Gautemala and Bolivia.
(vi) North America
USA alone imported 43,316 tons of sesame during 2006. Canada also imported
sizeable quantities of sesame although exact figures are not known.India exported during the
year (2006), 18,436 tons of sesame seeds to U.S.A and 4265 tons to Canada. Although India
supplies 42% of demand of U.S.A, however still effort needs to be made to have higher share
in imports of U.S.A.
D. Measures for enhancing competitiveness
Competitiveness for export of sesame seed can be enhanced by taking following measures.

Competitiveness can be enhanced by meeting the quality standards of importing countries

regarding pesticide residues, foreign matter, moisture level etc.
Productivity of sesame in India is 1/3rd of the productivity of China and also lower than
countries like Bangladesh and African countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria etc. thus
only way to enhance India's competitiveness is to increase the productivity per hectare, so
that India can make sesame available at competitive prices.
India is playing a dominant role in International trade of sesame and therefore it will be
advisable to develop brand name for Indian sesame. It will help in enhancing
competitiveness.

13. Storage
Sesame seeds should be stored in clean and dry, moisture proof area free from insects, pests
and rodents.

14. Documents required for exports

a) Documents related to goods
a) Invoice

b) Packing List

c) Certificate of origin

b) Documents related to shipment

a) Mate Receipt

b) Shipping Bill

c) Bill of handing
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d) Airway Bill

c) Documents related to Payment

a) Letter of Credit (L/C)

b) Bill of Exchange

d) Documents related to quality of goods

a) Phytosanitary Certificate

b) GLOBALGAP Certification

c) Health Certificate

e) Organic Certification
- Certificate indicating material produce is based on organic farming.
f) Documents related to Foreign Exchange Regulations
GR Form: Documents required by RBI which assures to RBI that the exporter will realize the
proceeds of goods within 180 days from the date of Shipment.
g) Other Document
Bank Realization Certification (BRC):This is the advice given by Foreign Exchange Bank after
the realization of money from Importer.

15. Chain of events

Harvesting
Curing and threshing
Winnowing
Cleaning
Sieving
Drying
Transportation

16. Price prevailing in international markets

The given below tables shows the annual average price range of sesame seeds in the market of
EU countries. The table 15.7 shows the pricing trend in the market of EU countries
Table 15.7: Summary of prices for sesame seeds in target market for India
Country

Annual Average price Range

Currency

EU

USD/kg
INR/kg

Source: Comtrade Database

177

0.99 to 2.95
44.9 to 132.98

(2003-08)

17. Cost Calculation from harvest to packhouse to port

Cost estimates for exports of sesame seeds from India (as per information collected during
2008)
(a) Procurement price*:
Approx. price (Rs. /kg)

36-98

(Mundra)

*Price of sesame seeds varies according to variety, month of procurement

(b) Charges for packing, transport etc. (below in table):
Table 15.8: Charges for packing, transport, etc.
Particulars

Cost /ton (Rs)

Packing material (jute bags 50 kgs)

460

Transport to port (from Gujarat to Gujarat port)

450-600
910 1060
or 0.91 to 1.06 per kg

Total

Source: IOPEA, Mumbai

(c) Sea freight charges*:
Freight rates for ordinary container are as follows:
Ordinary
containers
(Rates in US dollars/ Mton)
(i) EU
(ii) US
(iii) Turkey
(iv) China, Korea and other far east

80-100
90-120
90-100
20-30

* It varies from year to year /season to season, capacity of container and distance covered.

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