Sesame Value Chain: INVESTMENT

Sesame is an ancient oilseed with the botanical name (Sesamun indicum), it is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. It is often called beni seed in some part of Nigeria and Africa. Sesame seeds are small, one thousand of it weigh about one ounce. Sesame seed can be classified into three types: White Sesame, Black Sesame and Brown Sesame Seeds. Investing in sesame seed import is quite interesting because of the profit. Pharmaceutical Companies, Chemical Companies, Food Processing Companies, Animal Feed Companies are in need of this seed because of its rich oil content. About 65 percent of the annual sesame crop is processed into oil and 35 percent is used in food.Sesame seed import is profitable in the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, India, China.Nigeria is the second largest producer of sesame seed in Africa, and ranking seventh in the World, with an estimated production of 120,000 metric tones annually and produces only the white and brown type.

The country has the potential to beat Sudan in sesame seed production in view of the large and suitable land for its production. As regards profitability, exportnigeria.blogspot.com says the export free on board price of sesame seed varies from $900 to $1,400 per metric tonne, depending on the type and form of the sesame seed and the negotiation made with the buyers. Specifically, Local price per metric tonne of sesame seed varies from N150, 000 during the peak season to about N170, 000.00 at the off-season. However, local price, when delivered in Lagos, could range from N250, 000 to N270, 000.”