Sesame seed production in Ethiopia
In 2024 Ethiopia produced 435,456 t of sesame seed, the 6th largest in the world (6.52% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 37%. The record was 497,973 t in 2016. Area harvested: 608,111 ha, yield 0.7 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 435,456 t
- World rank
- 6 of 69
- 10-year change
- +37%
- Record
- 497,973 t
- 2016
Sesame seed in Ethiopia, 1993–2024 (tonnes)
Ethiopia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 6.5%
- 5.2% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 0.7
- world 0.6 (+26%)
- kg per person
- 3.30
- world 0.82
- 10-year change
- +37%
- world +8.4%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Nigeria | 450,000 | 6.7% |
| 5 | Pakistan | 435,928 | 6.5% |
| 6 | Ethiopia | 435,456 | 6.5% |
| 7 | Brazil | 399,400 | 6.0% |
| 8 | China | 380,000 | 5.7% |
Map of world production of sesame seed
Share of the world total; Ethiopia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 435,456 | −2.4% | 608,111 | 0.72 |
| 2023 | 446,122 | +28% | 593,985 | 0.75 |
| 2022 | 348,471 | −29% | 471,537 | 0.74 |
| 2021 | 493,919 | −0.4% | 654,977 | 0.75 |
| 2020 | 495,977 | +0.2% | 655,441 | 0.76 |
| 2019 | 494,761 | +14% | 643,764 | 0.77 |
| 2018 | 434,046 | −12% | 573,689 | 0.76 |
| 2017 | 493,382 | −0.9% | 622,848 | 0.79 |
| 2016 | 497,973 | +19% | 684,859 | 0.73 |
| 2015 | 417,990 | +31% | 626,990 | 0.67 |
| 2014 | 318,830 | +21% | 454,990 | 0.70 |
| 2013 | 262,560 | −26% | 352,290 | 0.75 |
| 2012 | 353,480 | −26% | 491,880 | 0.72 |
| 2011 | 475,310 | +26% | 574,400 | 0.83 |
| 2010 | 376,230 | +44% | 452,530 | 0.83 |
| 2009 | 260,534 | +39% | 315,843 | 0.82 |
| 2008 | 186,772 | +25% | 185,912 | 1.00 |
| 2007 | 149,388 | +0.4% | 211,312 | 0.71 |
| 2006 | 148,861 | +29% | 205,153 | 0.73 |
| 2005 | 115,388 | +88% | 136,220 | 0.85 |
| 2004 | 61,462 | −0.9% | 91,527 | 0.67 |
| 2003 | 62,000 | +59% | 91,527 | 0.68 |
| 2002 | 38,900 | +106% | 58,780 | 0.66 |
| 2001 | 18,878 | +21% | 42,370 | 0.45 |
| 2000 | 15,634 | −12% | 38,190 | 0.41 |
| 1999 | 17,677 | −19% | 32,200 | 0.55 |
| 1998 | 21,956 | +9.8% | 39,750 | 0.55 |
| 1997 | 20,000 | −20% | 28,000 | 0.71 |
| 1996 | 25,000 | +8.7% | 34,000 | 0.74 |
| 1995 | 23,000 | +15% | 31,000 | 0.74 |
| 1994 | 20,000 | +4.2% | 28,584 | 0.70 |
| 1993 | 19,200 | — | 27,614 | 0.70 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 127,799 t USD 211 m
- Exporter rank
- 7 of 124
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 sesame seed in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia produced 435,456 t in 2024, 6.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ethiopia rank in the world for production of sesame seed?
Ethiopia ranked 6th of 69 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 13.0% of the world total.
How has the production of sesame seed in Ethiopia changed?
It rose by 37% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +8.4% for the world. The record was 497,973 t in 2016.
What is the yield of sesame seed in Ethiopia?
0.7 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (435,456 t from 608,111 ha), against a world average of 0.6 t/ha.
Does Ethiopia export or import sesame seed?
In 2024 Ethiopia reported exports of 127,799 t (USD 211 m) and no imports, 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 2024 figure for Ethiopia is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
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.