Oil of sesame seed production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 545 t of oil of sesame seed, the 47th largest in the world (0.05% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 11%. The record was 774 t in 2007.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 545 t
- World rank
- 47 of 60
- 10-year change
- −11%
- Record
- 774 t
- 2007
Oil of sesame seed in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.05%
- 0.05% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −11%
- world +5.9%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Belgium | 590 | 0.05% |
| 46 | Denmark | 553 | 0.05% |
| 47 | South Africa | 545 | 0.05% |
| 48 | Sri Lanka | 500 | 0.04% |
| 49 | North Macedonia | 391 | 0.03% |
Map of world production of oil of sesame seed
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 545 | −22% |
| 2022 | 700 | −1.7% |
| 2021 | 712 | +29% |
| 2020 | 552 | −21% |
| 2019 | 697 | +11% |
| 2018 | 628 | −18% |
| 2017 | 765 | +28% |
| 2016 | 596 | +35% |
| 2015 | 440 | −35% |
| 2014 | 675 | +9.9% |
| 2013 | 614 | +8.7% |
| 2012 | 565 | −8.4% |
| 2011 | 617 | +5.5% |
| 2010 | 585 | −3.3% |
| 2009 | 605 | +29% |
| 2008 | 470 | −39% |
| 2007 | 774 | +26% |
| 2006 | 613 | −12% |
| 2005 | 697 | +30% |
| 2004 | 537 | +19% |
| 2003 | 451 | +5.1% |
| 2002 | 429 | +9.4% |
| 2001 | 392 | +3.4% |
| 2000 | 379 | +10% |
| 1999 | 344 | −10% |
| 1998 | 384 | +28% |
| 1997 | 301 | −5.3% |
| 1996 | 318 | +36% |
| 1995 | 233 | +7.9% |
| 1994 | 216 | +8.0% |
| 1993 | 200 | +18% |
| 1992 | 170 | −17% |
| 1991 | 205 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 205 | +9.6% |
| 1989 | 187 | +11% |
| 1988 | 169 | — |
| 1987 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 0 | — |
| 1964 | 0 | — |
| 1963 | 0 | — |
| 1962 | 0 | — |
| 1961 | 0 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 15 t USD 34,000
- Exporter rank
- 58 of 84
- Imports
- 204 t USD 613,000
- Importer rank
- 39 of 156
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of oil of sesame seed in South Africa?
South Africa produced 545 t in 2023, 0.05% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of oil of sesame seed?
South Africa ranked 47th of 60 countries in 2023. The largest producer was China with 22.9% of the world total.
How has the production of oil of sesame seed in South Africa changed?
It fell by 11% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +5.9% for the world. The record was 774 t in 2007.
Does South Africa export or import oil of sesame seed?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 15 t (USD 34,000) and imports of 204 t (USD 613,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.