Sesame Oil Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (White Sesame Oil, Black Sesame Oil, Others), By Industry (Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics And Personal Care, Food, Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online, Specialty Stores, Others), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 5.01 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.96%
Fastest Growing Segment	Food
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 7.09 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Sesame Oil Market will grow from USD 5.01 Billion in 2025 to USD 7.09 Billion by 2031 at a 5.96% CAGR. Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from Sesamum indicum seeds, recognized for its distinct nutty aroma, high oxidative stability, and nutritional profile rich in antioxidants like sesamol. The global market is fundamentally driven by the rising consumer demand for functional food ingredients that offer cardiovascular benefits, coupled with the expanding international integration of Asian and African cuisines which utilize the oil as a staple seasoning. These structural drivers sustain long-term demand across the culinary, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors, establishing a growth trajectory independent of transient dietary trends.

However, the market faces a significant challenge regarding raw material security and supply chain stability, as production is heavily concentrated in specific climatic zones. This geographic concentration creates vulnerability to weather-induced yield fluctuations and logistics costs. According to the China Chamber of Commerce of Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-products, in 2024, imports accounted for 80 percent of sesame consumption in China, underscoring the industry's critical reliance on cross-border trade flows to maintain processing capacities and price stability.

Key Market Drivers

The Growing Global Demand for Asian and Ethnic Cuisines acts as a primary catalyst for the sesame oil industry, expanding its footprint beyond traditional strongholds in East Asia to Western markets. This driver is characterized by the increasing integration of sesame oil as a premium seasoning in culinary applications, fueled by the proliferation of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese gastronomy. Consequently, major industry players are recording substantial revenue gains directly linked to this culinary expansion. According to Kadoya Sesame Mills Inc., May 2025, in the 'Consolidated Financial Results', net sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, rose by 10.57 percent year-on-year, underscoring the robust consumption trends in key Asian markets. This demand trajectory is further reinforced by the product's irreplaceability in authentic flavor profiles, ensuring sustained uptake across both retail and food service sectors.

Simultaneously, the Rising Consumer Awareness of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Benefits is reshaping market dynamics, prioritizing high-quality, cold-pressed, and natural product variants. Health-conscious consumers are increasingly gravitating towards sesame oil for its rich antioxidant content, particularly sesamol, and its role in heart-healthy diets, thereby incentivizing robust trade flows from primary producers of non-GMO seeds. This shift towards natural, nutrient-dense ingredients has significantly bolstered the economic value of raw material exports from regions known for traditional cultivation. According to The Citizen, June 2025, in the article 'Tanzania earns Sh300 billion from sesame exports', Tanzania generated 300 billion Shillings from sesame exports in the 2024 season, reflecting the intensifying global procurement of natural oilseeds. Furthermore, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, March 2025, in the 'South Korea: Oilseeds and Products Annual' report, South Korea remains dependent on imports for 89 percent of its total oilseed supply, highlighting the critical link between international supply chains and health-driven consumption in developed economies.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Sesame Oil Market faces a critical hurdle regarding raw material security, as the intense geographic concentration of sesame cultivation creates a fragile supply chain susceptible to climatic disruptions. Because the crop thrives only in specific tropical and subtropical zones, any deviation in weather patterns—such as irregular rainfall or extended droughts—results in immediate and severe yield fluctuations. This environmental vulnerability directly hampers market growth by creating unpredictability in feedstock availability. When major producing regions suffer harvest setbacks, oil processors face acute shortages of quality seeds, forcing them to operate below capacity and struggle with escalating procurement costs that erode profit margins.

This structural instability is evidenced by recent agricultural data from key production hubs. 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 contractions in the primary production base inevitably lead to supply deficits for the crushing industry. These shortages not only disrupt international trade flows but also prevent manufacturers from fulfilling the growing global requirements of the culinary and cosmetic sectors, effectively stalling the industry's expansion trajectory.

Key Market Trends

The adoption as a stable carrier in pharmaceutical drug delivery systems is accelerating, particularly for injectable formulations that require high oxidative stability to maintain the potency of sensitive active ingredients. Manufacturers are increasingly utilizing super-refined grades of sesame oil as oleaginous vehicles in intramuscular injections and oleogels, leveraging the oil’s natural antioxidant profile to prevent degradation during extended storage. This trend represents a shift from general nutritional applications to high-value medical utility, where the oil's purity is critical for regulatory compliance. According to Pharma Excipients, July 2025, in the article 'Super Refined pharmaceutical excipients – by Croda', stability studies demonstrated that high-purity sesame oil achieved a 93 percent recovery rate for the drug haloperidol decanoate after 12 weeks of incubation, significantly outperforming standard compendial grade equivalents.

Simultaneously, there is a distinct shift toward direct-to-consumer and e-commerce distribution models, enabling producers to bypass traditional retail intermediaries and engage directly with end-users. This distribution evolution is characterized by the launch of bulk-purchase incentives and digital platforms designed to capture higher margins and foster brand loyalty among dedicated customer bases, especially within diaspora communities. According to Kitchen Herald, February 2025, in the article 'Cooking Oil Brand 'Idhayam' Announces Scheme For Bulk Purchase', the company introduced a direct purchasing scheme targeting its 1.2 million customer base, offering volume-based incentives to drive sales outside conventional grocery supply chains. Such strategies allow legacy brands to modernize their distribution architecture while securing recurring revenue streams from health-conscious households.

Segmental Insights

The Food segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the Global Sesame Oil Market, driven by a paradigm shift toward functional and heart-healthy cooking ingredients. This robust expansion is primarily fueled by the increasing globalization of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, which utilize the oil for authentic flavoring in marinades and dressings. Additionally, rising consumer awareness regarding the benefits of polyunsaturated fats and antioxidants supports this adoption. Organizations such as the American Heart Association recognize sesame oil as a healthy specialty oil, a validation that logically reinforces its accelerated integration into modern health-conscious diets and premium food products.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific maintains a dominant position in the Global Sesame Oil Market, largely attributed to significant production and consumption volumes in China and India. The region benefits from extensive agricultural output, ensuring a steady supply of sesame seeds for local processing and extraction. This market leadership is reinforced by the deep integration of sesame oil into traditional culinary practices and increasing consumer preference for healthy cooking ingredients across the region. High domestic demand, coupled with established manufacturing infrastructure, allows the region to control a major share of the global supply chain.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Dabur India Limited entered into an agreement to acquire a 51% stake in Sesa Care Private Limited, a well-known manufacturer of Ayurvedic hair oils. The strategic acquisition, valued at an enterprise value of Rs 315-325 crore, allows the company to consolidate its dominance in the herbal and sesame-based oil market. The Chairman of Dabur India Limited noted that adding this premium brand would complement their existing portfolio and leverage their extensive distribution network. This merger is expected to generate substantial revenue synergies and strengthen the company's footprint in the competitive personal care sector.
• In September 2024, the Lee Kum Kee Sauce Group revealed plans to invest up to USD 288 million to construct a new manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia. This major expansion is designed to significantly increase the production capacity of its extensive range of Asian sauces and condiments, including its popular sesame oil products, to cater to the growing consumer demand in the Americas. The state-of-the-art plant will incorporate intelligent factory solutions and advanced research capabilities, enabling the company to drive product innovation and reinforce its competitive position in the expanding global culinary market.
• In September 2024, Kadoya Sesame Mills Incorporated announced a strategic initiative to rebuild its aging production facility in Tonosho, Japan, to bolster its output of premium sesame oil. The modernization project aims to aggressively expand the company's lineup of organic and high-quality sesame oils in response to rising health consciousness and consumer demand. By enhancing production efficiency and increasing capacity, the company intends to solidify its market presence. Construction of the new facility is projected to commence in 2027, representing a significant commitment to maintaining the traditional quality of its sesame products while adopting modern manufacturing standards.
• In August 2024, Olam Agri, a leading global agribusiness, announced a substantial investment commitment of over ₦6.5 billion to strengthen its agricultural value chain in Nigeria. This strategic initiative, spanning four years, focuses on supporting sesame and rice farming communities to enhance productivity and sustainability. The company aims to improve food security by empowering farmers through education, skills development, and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. This investment underscores the company's long-term dedication to the region, which is a critical source of high-quality sesame seeds for the global market, ensuring a stable and responsible supply chain.

Key Market Players

• Olam International
• Dipasa Group
• Unicorn Ingredients Limited
• Virdhara International
• Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V.
• Kadoya Sesame Mills Inc.
• La Tourangelle, Inc.
• Manishankar Oils Private Limited
• Tampico
• The Hain Celestial Group

By Type	By Industry	By Distribution Channel	By Region
White Sesame Oil Black Sesame Oil Others	Pharmaceutical Cosmetics And Personal Care Food Others	Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Convenience Stores Online Specialty Stores Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Sesame Oil Market, By Type:

• White Sesame Oil
• Black Sesame Oil
• Others

• Sesame Oil Market, By Industry:

• Pharmaceutical
• Cosmetics And Personal Care
• Food
• Others

• Sesame Oil Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online
• Specialty Stores
• Others

• Sesame Oil 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