China Authorizes Ten Brazilian Companies to Export Sesame

Ten Brazilian companies have been approved to export sesame to China, following a trade agreement reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula in November 2024. The deal strengthens commercial ties between the two nations.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the global sesame market was valued at $7.7 billion in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 2.6%. It is projected to reach $8.7 billion by 2029.

Brazil ranks as the world’s seventh-largest sesame exporter, trailing Sudan, India, Myanmar, Tanzania, and Nigeria—countries that collectively account for 64% of the world’s cultivated sesame acreage, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Sesame seeds, which contain about 50% oil, have a broad range of applications in the food and cosmetics industries, creating demand beyond their use as raw seeds.

The sweeter sesame variety, which is more popular in international markets for human consumption, is still not widely cultivated in Brazil due to higher harvest losses and lower yields in mechanized farming. This variety is used in products such as tahini and baked goods, as well as various dishes across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Brazil’s Sesame Production

Sesame production in Brazil has grown significantly in recent years as an alternative to second-crop corn. In the 2018/19 season, Brazil produced 41,300 tonnes of sesame, according to the National Supply Company (Conab). This figure jumped to 95,800 tonnes in 2019/20, then reached 174,000 tonnes in 2022/23, and surged to 361,000 tonnes in the 2023/24 season.

“Sesame presents itself as a viable alternative to second-crop corn due to its strong profitability and low overall costs. However, its market has lower liquidity compared to corn and soy, with fewer players and less demand, making it more similar to the bean market,” noted Cesar de Castro Alves, Manager of Agribusiness Consulting at Itaú BBA, in a report published at the time of the trade agreement.

Mato Grosso is Brazil’s top sesame-producing state, followed by Goiás, Pará, and Tocantins. According to previous reports from Embrapa, there is also production potential in Bahia, Minas Gerais, Maranhão, and Rondônia.

The world’s largest sesame consumers are China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.

Companies Approved for Sesame Exports to China:

SEMPRE VERDE IMPORTAÇÃO E EXPORTAÇÃO LTDA – Produces corn, sesame, shelled peanuts, and soy.
CR BRASIL BUSINESS – Produces corn, sesame, and soy.
AUREAPHI COMMODITIES E SERVIÇOS DE EXPORTAÇÃO LTDA – Produces corn, sesame, shelled peanuts, and soy.
D.L. RODRIGUES IMPORTAÇÃO EXPORTAÇÃO LTDA – Produces corn, sesame, and soy.
GRANELES BRASIL COMERCIAL IMPORTADORA EXPORTADORA AGRÍCOLA S.A. – Produces sesame and soy.
ARBAZA ALIMENTOS LTDA – Produces sesame.
NG TRADE LTDA – Produces sesame.
INTERNATIONAL COMMODITIES TRADING LTDA – Produces sesame.
SCA TRADING S/A – Produces sesame.
SEZAM ZAAD COMÉRCIO DE SEMENTES LTDA – Produces sesame.
SMP 158 SOLUÇÕES AGRÍCOLAS LTDA – Produces sesame.

According to Chinese customs authorities, these approvals are valid until 2029.

Luis Rua, Secretary for Trade and International Relations at Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, stated that 21 units from various companies have been cleared to begin sesame exports to China. He noted that China imports around 1 million tonnes of sesame annually and consumes about 1.4 million tonnes, making it a key market for Brazil, which produces nearly 300,000 tonnes per year.

“There is a strong likelihood that China will become our largest market this year. We expect to export up to 100,000 tonnes. This will be a major opportunity—virtually all our production is already exported. India used to be our main buyer, but with China in the picture, we are looking at a new market dynamic,” Rua told reporters.

Source: Globo Rural

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