Independent Report
Beijing, October 22, 2025: Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China witnessed a remarkable surge of more than 87% year-on-year, crossing $68.56 million during the first three quarters of 2025, according to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), as reported by China Economic Net.
From January to September 2025, Pakistan exported 55.61 million kilograms of sesame seeds to China at an average price of $1.23 per kilogram. During the same period last year, exports stood at 23.95 million kilograms, valued at $36.59 million at $1.52 per kilogram, reflecting a major leap in both quantity and trade value.
Globally, China’s sesame imports continue to grow amid rising demand in the edible oil, food processing, and health product industries. GACC data showed that Niger remained China’s top sesame supplier with exports worth $543.02 million, followed by Togo ($189.10 million) and Tanzania ($161.68 million). Other key suppliers included Ethiopia ($144.03 million), Mozambique ($121.18 million), and Myanmar ($88.56 million).
Pakistani exporters attribute the strong performance to enhanced agricultural output, improved export quality, and deepening trade cooperation between Pakistan and China. They emphasized that greater collaboration in post-harvest processing, value addition, and logistics has strengthened Pakistan’s competitiveness in the Chinese market.
Highlighting recent trade initiatives, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi said that in September 2024, Pakistan organized the “Sesame Trade and Investment Opportunities in China” event. During the event, a 23-member Pakistani delegation secured trade deals for 15,000 metric tons of sesame and signed a $28 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Daming government-backed enterprises. He added that 177 Pakistani sesame companies are now officially registered with Chinese authorities.
Experts noted that sesame seeds are becoming an increasingly important ingredient in China’s culinary, oil, and health product sectors, driving sustained demand. Pakistan’s high-quality sesame, favorable growing conditions, and expanding export capacity position it as a key emerging supplier in China’s growing sesame market.
While analysts acknowledged that recent floods temporarily affected production, they expressed optimism that Pakistan’s sesame exports will continue their upward trajectory in the coming years, further strengthening bilateral agri-trade ties between the two countries.
