Germany Sesame Seeds Market Overview, 2030

Germany stands out in the European sesame seed market not only for its high consumption volume but also for the diversity of applications that integrate sesame into both traditional and modern food formats. Breads such as Mehrkornbrot (multigrain bread) and Kornerbrotchen (seeded rolls) often include sesame, highlighting the ingrained culinary role of seeds in German bakery culture. Germany’s vegan and vegetarian product segment is another significant growth driver for sesame seed usage. With one of the highest proportions of vegan consumers in Europe, sesame-based products like tahini, sesame spreads, and seed-based snack bars have become increasingly visible on store shelves. Tahini is not just consumed as a Middle Eastern ingredient but is also repurposed in plant-based sauces, salad dressings, and dips, reflecting a broader trend toward flexitarian diets. German consumers are also open to international cuisines, particularly Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Asian food, which regularly feature sesame seeds in marinades, stir-fries, and toppings. This openness creates demand for black sesame and unhulled varieties in more niche, gourmet, and ethnic food channels. Private-label products dominate retail in Germany, with large supermarket chains like EDEKA, REWE, and Kaufland offering their own sesame containing items across organic, vegan, and bakery lines. These chains frequently source from domestic processors who import bulk sesame for repackaging or further processing. The sesame suppliers who can deliver in bulk and comply with private-label specifications have a strategic advantage.

According to the research report ""Germany Sesame Seed Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Germany sesame seed market is anticipated to grow at more than 2.12% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The country has responded aggressively to food safety concerns, particularly following the ethylene oxide contamination crisis in 2020–2021, which led to mass recalls of sesame-containing products across Europe. As a result, the German food control authorities have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to pesticide residues, with importers now required to perform detailed contaminant testing especially for ethylene oxide, aflatoxins, and Salmonella before releasing goods into circulation. Many buyers demand third-party certificates of analysis (CoAs) before purchase agreements are finalized and even routine spot testing at ports of entry is common. For exporters, this means ensuring tight control over supply chain traceability, including batch-level testing, approved fumigation methods, and rigorous documentation aligned with EU General Food Law and Germany’s LFGB standards. These certifications address not only agricultural practices but also post-harvest handling, packaging, and fair trade compliance, especially relevant to sesame sourced from Africa or Asia. Organic sesame imports into Germany primarily come from India, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda, with India being a dominant player for certified organic volumes. However, the price sensitivity remains a concern, particularly as rising demand for organic has driven up sourcing costs. Germany’s sesame trade is shaped by both B2B and B2C segments. Key importers such as Davert GmbH, Rapunzel Naturkost, and Topas GmbH handle large-scale volumes for retail and food processing. These companies specialize in organic and natural products and distribute across both branded and private-label platforms. Hamburg Port acts as a key logistics hub for sesame imports, with most shipments entering through this gateway before redistribution.

White sesame seeds are the most widely consumed, especially hulled variants, which are favored for their smooth texture and neutral flavor. German bakeries rely heavily on these seeds for topping traditional bread varieties such as Sesambrötchen (sesame rolls) and multigrain loaves. Major bakery chains like Kamps and BackWerk, as well as supermarket in-store bakeries, consistently use white sesame for its aesthetic appeal and wide consumer acceptance. Moreover, hulled white sesame is a common ingredient in mass-market tahini, particularly for private-label and organic brands sold through REWE, dm, and Edeka. Black sesame seeds, still a niche product, are gaining visibility in Germany due to rising interest in Asian cuisine and superfoods. These seeds are particularly popular in high-end and health-conscious markets in cities like Berlin and Munich. They’re found in gourmet snacks, fusion desserts, and even drinks like black sesame lattes, often sold in vegan cafes and upscale health food stores. Their slightly bitter taste and higher antioxidant content are marketed as functional health benefits, and they’re commonly used in premium or imported product lines from Japan and Korea. The other varieties of sesame seeds such as brown or red seeds and unique origin-specific types like Ethiopian Humera or Sudanese Gedaref serve specialized industrial or gourmet niches. These seeds often command higher prices due to their oil content or distinctive flavor profiles, making them suitable for cold-pressed sesame oil or premium organic tahini. In particular, unhulled sesame sourced from Ethiopia is used by organic brands that market the product’s fiber-rich shell and richer taste. These varieties are mostly imported by specialty importers and organic food processors.

The food industry is by far the largest application area, where sesame seeds are used in everything from artisanal bread and pastries to tahini, sauces, snack bars, and plant-based foods. As the vegan trend accelerates, tahini has become more than a niche ethnic spread it’s now a base for plant-based dressings, dips, and dairy-free sauces, especially in the natural food and flexitarian categories. Several German brands like Zwergenwiese and Rapunzel produce sesame-based products, reflecting domestic processing of imported seeds. The sesame seeds and their derivatives play a modest but growing role in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Cold-pressed sesame oil is being increasingly used in supplements aimed at improving skin, joint, and cardiovascular health. Germany’s strong market for natural and herbal remedies, driven by consumer trust in homeopathy and plant-based wellness, supports sesame oil’s inclusion in functional food and supplement formulations. German manufacturers often combine sesame oil with turmeric or ginger in anti-inflammatory capsules sold in health stores and online. The cosmetic and personal care industry also utilizes sesame, primarily in the form of organic sesame oil. Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, it’s a common ingredient in moisturizers, facial oils, and massage oils. Brands such as Weleda and Dr. Hauschka include sesame oil in their organic-certified formulations. In other applications, sesame cake the residue left after oil extraction is occasionally used in animal feed. Industrial applications such as bio-lubricants or ayurvedic oils exist but remain niche.

Organic sesame seeds, sourced mainly from India, Ethiopia, and Uganda, are highly valued by German buyers for their alignment with strict consumer preferences around health, sustainability, and ethical sourcing. Certification requirements are rigorous, beyond the EU Organic standard, many buyers demand Naturland, Bioland, or Demeter labels, which address not just farming but also processing and social accountability. This is particularly relevant in a country where over 60% of natural food consumers say certification heavily influences their purchasing decisions. Organic sesame is widely used in tahini, seed mixes, energy bars, and baby food products, reflecting its reputation as a clean ingredient. Premium brands such as Rapunzel Naturkost, Davert, and Alnatura rely heavily on verified organic sesame imports for their health product lines. Conventional sesame seeds remain crucial for volume-based applications, particularly in industrial baking, foodservice, and large-scale snack manufacturing. Conventional seeds, often hulled and imported from Sudan, Nigeria, or Myanmar, are processed by bulk ingredient handlers who prioritize consistency and price stability. These seeds are primarily sold under private labels or used in unbranded food production such as hamburger buns, energy clusters, and sauces where margins are tighter. Interestingly, some German manufacturers use blended strategies, combining organic sesame for branded or export products while using conventional sesame for price-sensitive domestic goods.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets like REWE, Edeka, Kaufland, and Aldi dominate sesame product sales at the consumer level, primarily offering tahini, sesame snacks, seed mixes, and organic baking ingredients. German consumers tend to trust supermarket own-brands, making private-label sesame products an important entry point for suppliers looking to scale quickly. Organic supermarkets and health food chains, such as denn’s Biomarkt, Alnatura, and Bio Company, play a vital role in distributing premium and certified organic sesame products. These stores cater to label-conscious, ethical consumers and are typically more selective with suppliers. Products in these stores often include value-added sesame goods like raw tahini, black sesame butter, and cold-pressed sesame oil, sourced through direct relationships with ethical importers or certified cooperatives. Online retail has seen substantial growth in Germany, especially for niche and specialty sesame products. Platforms like Amazon.de, Reformhaus.de, and Natur.com offer a wider selection of sesame varieties than physical stores, including black, unhulled, and region-specific types. Many small organic brands have built D2C (direct-to-consumer) models online, offering products like sesame energy balls or ayurvedic oils. COVID-19 accelerated this trend, and e-commerce remains a powerful platform for product testing, consumer education, and subscription-based sales of sesame products. In the B2B channel, sesame is distributed through wholesalers like Märkisches Landbrot for bakeries, Topas GmbH, and Muller’s Mühle, which supply ingredients to food manufacturers, bakeries, and catering services. Bulk imports (25 kg to 1-ton bags) are handled by specialized traders based around Hamburg and Bremen, Germany’s key import hubs. Sesame shipments typically arrive by sea container and are either processed locally or re-exported within the EU.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Sesame Seeds Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Oil Type
• Vegetable Oil
• Essential Oils
• Mineral Oils
• Others (Exotic/Specialty Oils & Blended/Functional Oils)

By Application
• Skin Care
• Hair Care
• Body Care
• Others

By Distribution Channel
• Online
• Offline (retail stores, pharmacies)
• Direct sales

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.