Tahini Market By Form Type (Hulled and Unhulled), By Product Type (Pastes & Spreads, Bakery & Dessert, Sauces & Dips, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Modern Retail, Conventional Retail, Export, Hotel Restaurant & Cafe and Others), By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities 2021-2031F

Market Overview

The Global Tahini Market will grow from USD 1.84 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.45 Billion by 2031 at a 4.89% CAGR. Tahini is a nutrient-dense paste derived from toasted, ground hulled sesame seeds, serving as a fundamental component in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern gastronomies. The market’s expansion is anchored by the growing global shift toward plant-based diets and the increasing recognition of sesame’s nutritional profile, particularly its high protein and healthy fat content. These fundamental drivers are further bolstered by the widespread integration of sesame-based products into mainstream retail channels, ensuring steady demand beyond traditional ethnic markets.

Despite this positive trajectory, the industry encounters obstacles related to the consistent procurement of high-quality raw materials amidst fluctuating agricultural yields and supply chain instability. According to the Aegean Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products Exporters' Association, in 2024, the export value of sesame seeds increased by 195% in the first two months compared to the previous year, reflecting the acute supply-side pressures and rising valuation of inputs required for tahini production.

Key Market Drivers

Global Proliferation of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cuisines continues to act as a primary catalyst for the Global Tahini Market, fundamentally shifting consumption patterns from niche ethnic aisles to mainstream retail dominance. This widespread acceptance of traditional dishes, particularly hummus and falafel, has necessitated a massive scaling of upstream sesame processing to meet international demand. The surge in manufacturing activity is evident in key import markets that serve as processing hubs for the global supply chain. According to Mundus Agri, January 2025, in the 'Sesame seeds: China and South Korea increase imports significantly' report, China’s sesame seed imports rose by 23% year-on-year between January and October 2024, reaching 958,692 metric tons to support this growing industrial requirement. To sustain this momentum, major origin regions are ramping up commercial output; according to APAnews, December 2024, in the 'In five months: Ethiopia exports fetch $2.6 bln' article, Ethiopia projected its export revenue from the oilseeds and pulses sector to exceed USD 700 million for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, underscoring the robust flow of raw materials required to feed the global appetite for tahini-based products.

Product Innovation in Flavored Blends and Ready-to-Use Squeeze Formats is the second critical driver, transforming tahini from a mere ingredient into a versatile, standalone condiment. Manufacturers are aggressively diversifying portfolios with value-added variants—such as roasted garlic, chocolate, and vanilla blends—packaged in convenient squeeze bottles to appeal to younger, convenience-oriented demographics. This strategic pivot towards premiumization allows brands to capture new consumption occasions, such as breakfast spreads and salad dressings, effectively broadening their market reach. The financial success of this diversification strategy is reflected in the performance of leading regional manufacturers. According to Reuters, July 2025, in the 'BRIEF-Halwani Bros Q2 Net Profit' report, Halwani Bros, a major producer known for its extensive range of sesame products, reported second-quarter sales of SAR 213.9 million, demonstrating the commercial viability and strong consumer uptake of modern sesame derivatives in a competitive landscape.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenge hampering the growth of the Global Tahini Market is the structural instability regarding the procurement of raw materials, specifically the volatility in sesame seed supply. This reliance on a crop that is heavily concentrated in specific climatic zones makes the industry vulnerable to weather-induced yield fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. When primary production contracts, manufacturers face acute shortages of quality feedstock, which directly restricts processing capacity and prevents them from fulfilling the rising demand from mainstream retail sectors. Consequently, this scarcity drives up input costs, eroding profit margins and making it difficult for producers to maintain stable pricing for end consumers.

This precarious supply situation is evidenced by recent agricultural data indicating a contraction in the primary production base. According to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India, in August 2024, the total area under sesame cultivation during the kharif season dropped to approximately 1.01 million hectares, representing a 9 percent decline compared to the previous year. Such a significant reduction in acreage limits the availability of essential inputs, creating a supply deficit that stifles market expansion despite strong consumer interest.

Key Market Trends

The Shift Toward Clean-Label, Non-GMO, and Organic Certified Products is fundamentally reshaping the market as consumers increasingly demand transparency and pesticide-free ingredients. This movement has forced manufacturers to secure certified supply chains, moving away from generic bulk sourcing to traceable origins that guarantee compliance with stringent health standards, particularly for premium retail shelves. The rising valuation of these quality-assured inputs is evident in the performance of key organic-producing regions. According to Sesame Growers, June 2024, in the 'Sesame Production in Nigeria' article, Nigeria's sesame seed exports—often favored for their natural, non-GMO cultivation methods—were valued at ₦247.75 billion in the first quarter of 2024 alone, marking a 99% increase from the previous quarter and highlighting the surging premium placed on traditional, clean-label crops.

Integration into Western Fusion Cuisine and Functional Salad Dressings is simultaneously expanding the ingredient's application scope beyond traditional ethnic dips like hummus. Food formulators are leveraging tahini’s emulsification properties and nutty flavor profile to create plant-based dressings, marinades, and fusion bowls, a trend that necessitates a diversification of supply to meet massive new industrial volumes. This broadened utility has accelerated the emergence of non-traditional, mechanized production hubs capable of delivering consistent large-scale output for Western processors. According to Brazilian Farmers, November 2024, in the 'Zoom in on Brazilian Pulses' report, Brazil exported 246,200 tons of sesame in 2024, worth USD 347.8 million, signaling the critical role of these new, high-capacity origins in supporting the global expansion of sesame-based functional foods.

Segmental Insights

The Pastes & Spreads segment currently represents the fastest growing category within the Global Tahini Market due to the expanding global consumption of Mediterranean cuisine. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing popularity of hummus and traditional dips where tahini paste serves as an essential base ingredient. Furthermore, shifting consumer preferences toward plant-based diets and natural nut-free butter alternatives have accelerated the adoption of tahini spreads in household cooking. This trend is reinforced by the versatility of the product, which is increasingly utilized in diverse culinary applications ranging from savory dressings to confectionery items.

Regional Insights

The Middle East and Africa region maintains a dominant position in the global tahini market, primarily due to the extensive integration of sesame paste into traditional dietary habits. High domestic consumption of staple foods such as hummus and halva drives consistent demand across the region. Furthermore, this market leadership is supported by the strategic proximity to major sesame seed cultivation hubs in African nations, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply of raw materials for manufacturers. These factors, combined with established export channels to Western markets, solidify the region's status as a key global supplier.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, the Mighty Sesame Co., a prominent producer of squeezable tahini, entered into a strategic partnership with HOMEMADE, a live cooking community platform, to promote sesame-based culinary education. This collaboration featured the company's all-natural, ethically sourced tahini in a series of interactive, livestreamed cooking classes led by professional chefs. The initiative aimed to demonstrate the versatility of tahini beyond traditional uses, incorporating it into diverse recipes such as dips and desserts, thereby fostering greater consumer engagement and product usage in the home cooking market.
• In March 2025, Cedar's Foods, a leading producer of Mediterranean-inspired products, launched a new premium product line named Cedar's Reserve Hommus, which features an abundance of tahini as a core ingredient. This innovation was designed to offer an elevated, restaurant-quality experience at home by blending extra sesame paste with high-quality toppings like authentic za'atar spices and roasted red peppers. The launch targeted health-conscious consumers seeking clean-label options with transparent ingredients, further driving the demand for high-quality tahini in the prepared foods sector.
• In October 2024, Tahini’s Restaurants, a fast-growing Mediterranean fusion chain known for its retail tahini products, announced a major expansion plan to open ten new locations by the end of the year and debut in the United States market. Following the opening of its 50th store in Edmonton, the company revealed its strategy to establish a footprint in key American regions such as New Jersey and Chicago. This development underscored the brand's rapid growth and the increasing popularity of its sesame-based cuisine, aiming to double its total number of corporate and franchise locations to 100 by the following year.
• In May 2024, Secret Foods, a Canadian manufacturer of plant-based tahini finishing sauces, secured a significant retail partnership with Save-On-Foods to expand its market presence across Western Canada. This collaboration introduced the company’s clean-label tahini products, including flavors like Lemon Herb and Smoked Paprika, to shelves in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The strategic move increased the brand’s distribution to over 300 locations, positioning its versatile, sesame-based condiments as a premium alternative in the traditional grocery space and highlighting the growing consumer demand for natural, Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

Key Market Players

• El Rashidi El Mizan
• Halwani Bros Co. Ltd
• Haitoglou Bros SA
• Sunshine International Foods Inc.
• Kevala International LLC
• Prince Tahina Ltd
• R.j.m. Food Industries Ltd
• Al Wadi Al Akhdar Sal
• Al Yaman Factories
• Al Kanater Sal

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Tahini Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Tahini Market, By Form Type:

• Hulled and Unhulled

• Tahini Market, By Product Type:

• Pastes & Spreads
• Bakery & Dessert
• Sauces & Dips
• Others

• Tahini Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Modern Retail
• Conventional Retail
• Export
• Hotel Restaurant & Cafe and Others

• Tahini Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE