Growth, Instability, Comparative Advantage and Trade Direction of Sesame Exports from India

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) also known as til, is the oldest indigenous oilseed crop, with longest history of cultivation in India. India ranks first in the world in production with 16.22 lakh ha area and production of 6.67 lakh tonnes and a yield of 405 kg/h in 2019-20. The world average is (535 kg/ha). India and China are the world's largest producers of sesame, followed by Burma, Sudan, Mexico, Nigeria, Venezuela, Turkey, Uganda and Ethiopia. The top exporter of sesame seeds is Sudan followed by India, Nigeria, Myanmar and Tanzania. Top importers are China, Japan, Turkey, South Korea and Iran. Sesame seed production is primarily distributed in the states of Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It is the fourth largest oilseed crop cultivated in India. India's contribution to the production of sesame seeds in the world is 20.80 % in 2019-20. Gujarat is the leading sesame producing state contributing 22.3% of total production, followed by West Bengal (19.2%), Karnataka (13.5%), Rajasthan (9.8%), Madhya Pradesh (9.06%).