Sesame seed production in Malawi
In 2024 Malawi produced 10,934 t of sesame seed, the 36th largest in the world (0.16% of the world total). This is the highest figure on record. Area harvested: 26,327 ha, yield 0.4 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 10,934 t
- World rank
- 36 of 69
- 10-year change
- —
- Record
- 10,934 t
- 2024
Sesame seed in Malawi, 2017–2024 (tonnes)
Malawi compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.16%
- Yield, t/ha
- 0.4
- world 0.6 (−27%)
- kg per person
- 0.50
- world 0.82
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Syria | 11,958 | 0.18% |
| 35 | Zimbabwe | 11,507 | 0.17% |
| 36 | Malawi | 10,934 | 0.16% |
| 37 | Sri Lanka | 10,503 | 0.16% |
| 38 | Benin | 10,000 | 0.15% |
Map of world production of sesame seed
Share of the world total; Malawi is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,934 | +13% | 26,327 | 0.42 |
| 2023 | 9,686 | +38% | 23,780 | 0.41 |
| 2022 | 7,031 | +20% | 16,789 | 0.42 |
| 2021 | 5,873 | −23% | 15,040 | 0.39 |
| 2020 | 7,585 | +30% | 21,903 | 0.35 |
| 2019 | 5,836 | +99% | 19,000 | 0.31 |
| 2018 | 2,932 | +7.8% | 9,329 | 0.31 |
| 2017 | 2,721 | — | 9,924 | 0.27 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1,703 t USD 7.3 m
- Exporter rank
- 41 of 124
- Imports
- 3 t USD 19,000
- Importer rank
- 149 of 167
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 Malawi?
Malawi produced 10,934 t in 2024, 0.16% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Malawi rank in the world for production of sesame seed?
Malawi ranked 36th of 69 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 13.0% of the world total.
What is the yield of sesame seed in Malawi?
0.4 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (10,934 t from 26,327 ha), against a world average of 0.6 t/ha.
Does Malawi export or import sesame seed?
In 2024 Malawi reported exports of 1,703 t (USD 7.3 m) and imports of 3 t (USD 19,000), 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 2024 figure for Malawi 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.