Pakistani sesame exports have increased significantly from over 100,000 tonnes in 2020 to 150,000 tonnes in 2021 since being permitted to be transported to China.
Although the devastating floods in 2022 significantly decreased its exports, it is anticipated to have a bumper harvest as there had been a 25% increase in seeding since sellers got better prices the previous year, according to Ms. Li Yuanyuan, Director of Greater China region of JKT Foods, an agricultural produce trade company, in an interview after the China International Sesame Conference held last week in China’s coastal city Qingdao
The majority of our products were distributed to the Middle East before Pakistani sesame was permitted to enter China. Pakistani sesame has a sizable market in China, according to her. In favourable weather, Pakistani sesame’s consistent quality, absence of pesticide residue, and fair colour give it a competitive edge on the global market, she told CEN.
Additionally, shipping to China is done quickly. According to Ms. Li, the quickest direct ship can get to a Chinese port in 12 to 14 days. Pakistani sesame hits the Chinese market in around October each year, so there will be enough time for sale before the Chinese Lunar New Year, which usually marks a peak in consumption.
But as of right now, the weather is playing a significant role, Ms. Li said, “the overall crop this year is difficult to predict.” Â She informed CEN that the majority of Pakistani sesame now exported to China is unprocessed sesame. As Pakistan’s sesame processing technology develops over the coming years, it is anticipated that highly processed sesame, such as color-selected sesame and peeled sesame seed, would become increasingly well-liked in the Chinese market.
