India Sesame Seeds Market Overview, 2030

India’s sesame seeds market is one of the largest and most dynamic globally, deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural landscape, culinary traditions, and expanding industrial applications. As one of the world’s top producers and consumers of sesame seeds, India’s market is characterized by a complex interplay of traditional farming practices and modern agricultural innovations. The diverse climatic conditions across regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and West Bengal support extensive sesame cultivation, making it a vital crop for millions of smallholder farmers. Sesame seeds are a crucial component of Indian cuisine, used extensively in sweets, snacks, chutneys, and as an essential ingredient in oil extraction industries. Besides food consumption, sesame seeds hold cultural and religious significance, often used in rituals and traditional ceremonies. India’s sesame seed market is also shaped by its role as a major exporter, with significant quantities shipped to East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. This dual function as a major producer and consumer creates unique market dynamics influenced by domestic demand fluctuations, export policies, monsoon variability, and global price trends. The increasing awareness of sesame’s nutritional benefits and expanding use in non-food industries further fuels market growth, while challenges such as fragmented supply chains, price volatility, and quality inconsistencies remain critical issues to address.

According to the research report ""India Sesame Seeds Market Overview, 2030 "" published by Bonafide Research, the India Sesame Seeds Market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.94% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. In recent years, India’s sesame seeds market has witnessed transformational shifts driven by changing consumer preferences, government initiatives, and advances in agronomy. Rising health consciousness among urban and rural consumers has led to increased demand for sesame seeds as a superfood, prized for their high protein content, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and micronutrients like calcium and magnesium. The push for organic and sustainable agriculture has gained momentum, supported by government programs such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which incentivize farmers to adopt chemical-free farming practices. Additionally, the Indian government has implemented policies to promote exports, improve infrastructure, and support farmer cooperatives, thus strengthening the sesame seed value chain. Technological advancements, including hybrid seeds, better pest management, and improved harvesting techniques, have enhanced productivity and seed quality, although adoption rates vary widely by region. On the demand side, the expanding food processing industry, increasing penetration of organized retail, and the rising popularity of plant-based diets contribute to the growing consumption of sesame seeds and derived products.

India’s sesame seeds market is segmented by product type into white, black, and other varieties, each holding distinct importance in culinary and commercial uses. White sesame seeds dominate the market due to their widespread use in oil extraction, snacks, sweets, and traditional dishes. Their mild flavor, high oil content, and versatility make them the preferred choice for both domestic consumption and export. Black sesame seeds, valued for their strong flavor and perceived health benefits, have a niche but growing demand, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine, health supplements, and traditional sweets. Black sesame is often associated with antioxidant properties and benefits related to hair and bone health, which enhance its appeal among health-conscious consumers. Other varieties, including brown and mixed sesame seeds, occupy a smaller market share but are gaining attention in specialized food products and gourmet markets. These seeds are sometimes used in ethnic cuisines or as specialty ingredients in snacks and bakery items. The differentiation in product types enables producers and marketers to tailor offerings to meet diverse consumer preferences and expand into various segments such as organic, hulled, or flavored sesame seeds, enhancing market penetration and value addition opportunities.

By application, the Indian sesame seeds market extends beyond traditional food uses to encompass pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and emerging industries. The food industry remains the largest segment, where sesame seeds are incorporated into sweets like tilgul, ladoos, and halwa, as well as in bakery products, confectionery, and snacks. Sesame oil, derived from both white and black seeds, is a staple in Indian kitchens for cooking and medicinal purposes, valued for its flavor and health benefits. The pharmaceutical industry leverages sesame oil for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-healing properties, using it in ointments, massage oils, and Ayurvedic formulations. In cosmetics and personal care, sesame oil’s moisturizing and UV-protective qualities make it a popular ingredient in skincare creams, hair oils, and soaps, with a growing presence in natural and organic product lines. Furthermore, sesame seeds and their derivatives are finding applications in newer industries such as nutraceuticals and functional foods, where they contribute to immunity-boosting and anti-aging products. Other innovative applications include use in bio-based lubricants, paints, and industrial fillers, reflecting the increasing interest in sustainable and renewable raw materials. This diversified application base not only drives demand but also incentivizes innovation and investment across the sesame seed value chain in India.

Conventional sesame seeds constitute the bulk of production and trade, largely due to the established farming systems, cost-effectiveness, and consistent yields associated with conventional agriculture. However, rising awareness of food safety, health concerns, and environmental sustainability has accelerated growth in the organic sesame segment. Organic sesame seeds are cultivated using natural fertilizers and pest management methods, avoiding synthetic chemicals, and thus appealing to health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. India’s organic sesame production is supported by various certification bodies and government initiatives aimed at promoting organic farming, rural livelihoods, and export competitiveness. Organic sesame fetches higher market prices domestically and internationally, offering better income prospects for farmers engaged in organic cultivation. Despite higher production costs and supply chain complexities, the organic segment is expected to witness robust growth due to increasing demand from urban centers, health food manufacturers, and export markets focused on organic and clean-label products. The coexistence of these two categories provides consumers with a broad choice spectrum while driving improvements in quality, traceability, and sustainability across the sesame seed industry.

Traditional channels, such as local mandis (wholesale markets) and kirana stores (small neighborhood shops), remain critical for sesame seed trading, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where they serve as primary points of sale for raw and processed seeds. However, the growing penetration of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and organized retail chains has increased accessibility to packaged, branded sesame seed products in urban and metropolitan regions. These modern retail formats offer better quality assurance, hygiene standards, and product variety, including organic and value-added sesame products. E-commerce platforms are rapidly emerging as a significant channel, providing convenience, wider product choice, and direct-to-consumer delivery, which is especially important for niche products and health-focused offerings. Online retail also enables smaller producers and brands to reach national and international customers, leveraging digital marketing and social media. Other distribution channels such as exports, food processing companies, and direct institutional sales to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics manufacturers play important roles in market expansion. The integration and modernization of these distribution networks are essential to ensure efficient supply chains, reduce wastage, and meet the rising demand for high-quality sesame seeds in India’s evolving market environment.

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.