Key facts
- India exported US$1,344 million of sesame seeds in FY2024-25 (static.pib.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable
- 3 production clusters mapped, in Gujarat; UP; MP; Rajasthan; West Bengal, Kerala; Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana.
- Market guides for 21 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 18-19 MT) (typical).
Product overview
India is one of the largest sesame exporters and the leading supplier of hulled sesame. Sesame-specific export values are not published in the sources used (it sits within DGCI&S's 'oil seeds' group of US$ 1,344 million in FY2024-25). Production is spread across Gujarat, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with the Saurashtra hulling cluster (Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar) processing most export product.
Natural (unhulled) white sesame is sorted to 99-99.95% purity; hulled sesame is mechanically dehulled (or with a mild alkali process) and sortexed for bakery toppings and tahini. Black sesame and roasted sesame are niche lines for East Asian and Middle Eastern buyers.
Sesame was central to the EU ethylene-oxide crisis of 2020-21, and EU/UK buyers now require EtO, Salmonella, pesticide and aflatoxin certificates for every lot.
HS note: Roasted sesame may be classified under 2008 19; sesame oil under 1515 50.
Specifications
| Purity | Natural 99% / 99.9% / 99.95%; hulled 99.95-99.98% (typical) |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 6% (typical) |
| Oil content | ≥ 48-50% (typical) |
| FFA | ≤ 1.5-2% (typical) |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g (steam-treated on request) |
| EtO | Not detected (EU/UK) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Natural white 99.95% sortexed
For bakery, confectionery and Asian markets.
Hulled 99.95-99.98%
Bakery toppings, tahini, halva - Europe, Middle East, USA.
Black sesame
East Asian confectionery and health foods.
Roasted / golden
Ready-to-use for food service and snacks.
Brown / mixed
Crushing grade.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 25 kg and 50 kg PP or paper bags | Steam-sterilised lots in paper bags |
| Jumbo | 1 MT FIBC | For tahini makers |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 18-19 MT · 40' HC about 25-26 MT. Weight-limited
Customisation: Purity grade, steam sterilisation, roasting, black/white
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Gujarat
Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar
Saurashtra hulling and sortex cluster
Uttar Pradesh
Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur
Bundelkhand sesame
Madhya Pradesh
Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh
Kharif sesame
West Bengal
Nadia, Murshidabad
Summer sesame
Market requirements by region
European Union
Sesame from India was the trigger of the 2020-21 EtO crisis and has been listed under EU increased controls (Reg. 2019/1793) - supply EtO- and Salmonella-tested lots and check the current annex.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. Sesame is a declared major allergen in the USA (FASTER Act, 2023) - relevant for retail packs.
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. Tahini and halva makers in the Middle East buy hulled sesame.
East Asia
Korea, Japan and China buy natural and black sesame; Korean imports are under a state-trading/TRQ system - verify procedure with the buyer.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
- • EtO and Salmonella certificate for EU/UK lots
- • Sortex purity verification
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Certificate of analysis (EtO, Salmonella, pesticides, aflatoxin)
- • Health certificate where required
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Sesame seeds | 1,344 | unavailable | static.pib.gov.in |
Top destinations: unavailable
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between natural and hulled sesame?
Natural sesame keeps its seed coat; hulled sesame has the coat removed, giving a whiter seed used for bakery toppings and tahini.
What purity is standard for export?
Sortexed natural sesame is usually 99.95% pure; hulled sesame 99.95-99.98%.
Is EtO testing done on sesame?
Yes - after the 2020-21 EU crisis, EU/UK-bound sesame is tested for ethylene oxide and Salmonella before shipment.
Do you supply black sesame?
Black sesame is available in smaller volumes for East Asian and health-food buyers.
Request a quote for Sesame Seeds (Hulled, Natural White, Black and Roasted)
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