Sesame Oil Market 2025: Rising Demand and New Uses

The global sesame oil market is expanding. In fact, it's on a relatively consistent uptrend. A market report from Grand View Research puts the market size in 2024 at a rough estimate of USD 4.75 billion & projects it to reach USD 6.67 billion by 2030. That comes out to a pretty impressive 5.8% compound annual growth rate for 2024-2030.

At roughly the same time, another forecast from Global Market Insights Inc. puts the base in 2024 at around USD 4.6 billion and reckons the market will be worth a whopping USD 8.6 billion by 2034 which is an even higher 6.5% compound growth rate.

What does it look like for the 2025-2030 timeframe? Simply, you can anticipate growth somewhere in the range of 5.5%-6.5% worldwide, give or take as a function of region and product segment. That translates to, for buyers, wholesalers and distributors: volume increasing, choice expanding. Supply chains and price will become more important, and scale will come into play.

Market segmentation

When you segment the market, several stand out:

By processing/ extraction method:

• Refined/processed sesame oil is the largest share due to greater shelf life, greater familiarity and ease of availability. For instance, refined sesame oil was responsible for a whopping 80.2% of the revenue in 2023, in one dataset that was looked at.
• Cold-pressed/ virgin/ unrefined oils (also known as specialty oils) are a niche area, but they're definitely on the up and up, driven mainly by peoples growing interest in health & speciality foods.

By application/end-use:

• Food & Beverage continues to be the lion's share, consumed in cooking, dressings, sauces and ethnic dishes.
• Cosmetics & Personal Care/ Pharmaceuticals is a developing secondary market, with increasing natural oils applied in skincare, haircare etc.

By distribution channel: Retailers, wholesalers, B2B food-manufacturing, online channels… all relevant. For those in distribution the "channel" element will influence pack size, logistics, price and shelf life.

Regional insights

This is what's notable in the regions:

• The Asia-Pacific region leads in production and consumption. For example, a report indicates APAC generated USD 2.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at approximately 6.7% up to 2034.
• On the raw-materials front: China exports, India exports, Myanmar exports are particularly notable. One set of data reports China produced ~276K tons in Asia in 2024 and represented ~39% of regional total volume; followed by Myanmar at ~125K tons and India ~80K tons.
• Trade flows: Europe and North America export sizable quantities of sesame oil or seeds to Asia/Africa. For instance, it is reported that Europe's largest non-EU suppliers are Mexico, China, Singapore, India and Japan.
• More specifically: The market for sesame oil in the region of North America was approximately USD 1,165.8 million in 2023 and expected to reach approximately USD 1,681.2 million by 2030 at ~5.4% CAGR.

If you’re sourcing, distributing or wholesaling, this part really matters, basically.

• Raw material procurement. Sesame seed availability? It's the building block. When production in large countries remains consistent, relatively few shocks come your way. But when weather patterns shift or land use changes occur, cost and availability can flip. For instance, a source states that fluctuations in seed production in large producing countries significantly affect oil supply.
• Processing infrastructure. If your supplier has decent extraction, refining and packaging capabilities, especially in Asia, you’re in a better spot. Ask: “Where is this oil processed? What’s the footprint?” That kind of question matters.
• Trade sustainability & compliance. These days many buyers request traceability, certifications, sustainability credentials. Yes, you're observing processed sesame oil capturing about ~63% market share and the Asia-Pacific region leading, fueled by health/natural-food trends. So, if your supplier is able to demonstrate clean sourcing, you've got a competitive advantage.
• Logistics & packaging. Particularly with virgin or cold-pressed oils, special care is required. Storage is important (don't want oxidation). Packaging is important (dark glass, secure seal). Bulk shipment vs retail pack alters cost and risk. And if you ship worldwide, tariffs or import restrictions on edible oils are not something to be taken lightly.
• Price / raw-material risk. This is where the math comes in handy. As per a Q1 2025 pricing report, in the USA sesame oil reached approximately USD 7,700 per metric ton during March. In Japan it was approx. USD 4,700/MT at the same point in time. That indicates the price range is broad based on area and grade. And according to another source, in the U.S., Feb 2025 average import price was about USD 5,532/ton and in May 2025 approx. USD 6,104/ton. All that implies: margins could get squeezed unless you consider high-end products or create value in some way.

So, in short: if you monitor seed harvests, watch shipping and oil price trends, check your supplier's trustworthiness and processing footprint, you'll be ahead in 2025.

People’s buying habits say a lot about where the sesame oil market is heading. Let’s break down what’s driving the shift, from kitchens to cosmetics.

Shifting Culinary Preferences and Ethnic Food Trends

Everywhere you look, plates tell stories—Asian, Middle-Eastern, sometimes both in one bite. And right there, quietly holding its ground, is that nutty whisper of sesame oil, fitting in like it’s always belonged. It is applied to stir-fries, marinades, and dressing by food service outlets and home cooks, making it popular across the globe. Retailers now provide greater shelf space to quality oils other than the traditional vegetable oils.

Health Trends and Functional Food Popularity

Health-conscious folks are changing the shelves again. Instead of chasing fancy labels, they’re digging for something real, something that does more than just sit pretty in a bottle. Oils with depth. With purpose. Sesame oil, quietly, is stepping into that light. It’s plant-based, yes, but more than that, it carries antioxidants and versatility in one smooth pour. A whole bunch of them are opting for cold-pressed and organic options specifically for everyday cooking, which is forcing retailers and distributors to go the extra mile in getting top-quality products to market in what's rapidly becoming a major player in the wellness market.

Premiumisation and Niche Product Growth

Not all sesame oils are cut from the same cloth though. With so many different types out there - from cold-pressed and virgin to unrefined and toasted - to choose from, it's no surprise that different customers are gravitating towards different varieties. On the high-end, people are after that deeper flavour and a bit more quality, while mass-market consumers stick with the refined stuff. Retailers frequently vary both types to fulfill diverse needs and price points effectively.

Going Beyond Food: Beauty and Wellness

Sesame oil is no longer confined to the food aisles. You can now even find it being used as a base ingredient in lotions, hair care products, and supplements in the world of beauty and pharma. Plus, its versatility has made it a top pick among wellness companies and product formulators doing the clean-label thing, which is leading to a whole new level of demand in various global industries.

Rise of E-Commerce and Digital Sourcing

E-commerce has restructured sesame oil distribution. When it comes to wholesalers and retailers, they're cutting out the middleman by buying in bulk directly from suppliers through B2B websites - knocking down the lead time and expanding the range of places they can get the product from. But also packaging in smaller sizes for consumers, flexible delivery options, and keeping those branding efforts consistent are helping to give premium oils a real edge in terms of competition.

Sustainability and Traceable Supply Chains

Consumers want more transparency. They demand, "Is it organic? Fair-trade? Non-GMO?" Sourcing verification and sustainable packaging are becoming make-or-break issues. Sustainable sesame oils brands command reputation, loyalty, and frequently premium margins. No longer a choice, traceability now propels procurement and market demand globally.

As of 2025, a few significant changes are changing the way the sesame oil market operates, and they're worth your notice.

• The processed sesame oil market now occupies about 63 % of the market, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of approximately 6.1 % during the period 2025-2034.
• In seed technology: Equinom and Dipasa created a 65-70% protein sesame seed variety for plant-based uses, indicating greater utility than oil.
• On processing/extraction: new technologies (cold-pressing, solvent-free, nuanced flavor profiles) are coming in, which means better quality premium oils, fewer "off" notes, and faster time to market.
• Transparency of the supply chain is changing. More suppliers are offering farm-to-bottle traceability, some even to digital files or blockchain, especially for organic or premium products.
• Packaging & product innovation: greater infused sesame oils (truffle-sesame, chili-sesame), smaller consumer-vernacular bottle sizes, meal-kit packaging, ready-to-use dressings. This creates new shelf/online opportunities.
• Geographic diversification: Since raw-material risk (weather, land-use change) is a reality in certain traditional origins, African and Latin American producers are increasing their scale. For distributors, that translates into alternative sourcing alternatives with possible cost or lead-time advantages.

Such trends translate into the sesame oil market changing, as opposed to merely expanding. And for buyers, wholesalers, and retailers, keeping ahead of those trends places you in a true position of advantage.

In the future, where are the greatest-potential opportunities in the sesame oil market?

Premium Product Lines

Wholesalers and retailers can target engaged consumers seeking cold-pressed, virgin, or infused sesame oils. As knowledge about nutrition increases among consumers, retailers can introduce premium levels and distributors consider private-label buying agreements. Organic and specialty versions have higher margins and provide differentiation from commodity oils.

Emerging Regional Markets

Asia-Pacific has long been the dominant player, but markets like North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East/Africa are actually expanding a lot faster. These places rely pretty heavily on imports and have underdeveloped distribution channels, so that's giving them a lot to play for. Entry into these geographies provides wholesalers an opportunity to achieve first mover advantage by creating supply-chains and brand-presence.

Value-Added Applications

Outside of cooking oil applications, sesame oil's trajectory goes into functional food, cosmetics, hair-care, and specialty food-service categories such as vegan or clean label. Multi-industry-capable suppliers and distributors minimize risk while tapping into new streams of revenue in wellness and personal-care markets (Data Bridge Market Research).

Traceability & Sustainability as Differentiators

Customers and buyers in retail demand more and more to know: "Where was this produced? Is it sustainable?" Players who invest in open origin, ethical sourcing and certifications can charge premium prices and secure loyalty. Sustainability is valuable to major distributors today in order to retain key retail partners and address higher-end bases.

1. FLAVOR FULL (SHANGHAI) OIL AND FOODS CO., LTD – China

Flavor Full Foods made a reputation for itself using pure sesame artistry. The firm combines tradition and contemporary standards of quality, manufacturing oils, sauces, and seeds that are relied upon globally. The products are smooth, fragrant, and meticulously processed under close safety control. For either retail counters or bulk supplying, they cater to clients who respect authenticity and health-oriented options.

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2. B.N. EXPORTS PRIVATE LIMITED – India

B.N. Exports Pvt. Ltd. has somehow achieved the skill of processing sesame oil with science and tradition. They offer products in virgin, refined, and roasted types, all tested for quality and freshness. They're popular for using only the best sesame seeds and yielding clean, chemical-free oils that meet buyer standards in international markets.

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3. KUKI SANGYO CO., LTD. TAKENARI FACTORY – Japan

Kuki Sangyo Co. Ltd. was founded in 1886 and still makes sesame oil the old way which is done slowly and carefully. They use ancient roasting and pressing methods to preserve flavor, texture, and nutrition. Each bottle is Japanese craftsmanship and reliable, which they wholesale to restaurants and wholesalers who want unblemished, rich sesame taste from a heritage brand.

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