Pakistan’s Sesame Export Boom Continues as Latest 200-Ton Shipments Reach China

A new milestone in Pakistan-China agricultural trade was achieved earlier this month as a 200-ton shipment of Pakistani white sesame cleared customs at Qingdao Port, marking another step in the remarkable growth story that has seen Pakistan become China’s third-largest sesame supplier.

Pakistan has emerged as a major player in the global sesame trade, with exports to China skyrocketing in recent years. Over the past five years, Pakistan’s sesame production has surged by an impressive 455%, reaching an annual output of 1.119 million tons, while exports have grown by 327% to 760,000 tons, generating $1.073 billion in revenue. This remarkable growth has positioned Pakistan as the world’s third-largest sesame exporter, with the crop now recognized as a key contributor to the national economy under the National Oilseed Enhancement Program (NOEP).

The momentum has continued into 2025, with Pakistan’s sesame exports to China hitting 39,000 tons from January to April, worth $48.58 million—a staggering 337% increase compared to the same period last year. The surge highlights the expanding agricultural trade ties between the two nations. According to Chinese customs data, in 2024, China imported 177,600 tons of sesame from Pakistan, accounting for a significant share of its total global imports of 1.1826 million tons, valued at $1.86 billion. Pakistan now ranks alongside Niger and Tanzania as one of China’s top three sesame suppliers, with export revenues reaching $226 million last year.

The steady demand for sesame in China, driven by its use in traditional food products and oil extraction, has created lucrative opportunities for Pakistani farmers and exporters. China’s domestic production of sesame remains at more than 400,000 tonnes a year, well below its estimated annual demand of more than 1.5 million tonnes. Recognizing this gap, Pakistan has actively promoted sesame exports to China and 177 sesame exporters are now registered in the Chinese market.

The growing trade was highlighted by a recent shipment of 200 tonnes of Pakistani white sesame in 10 containers from Karachi to Qingdao via a 20-day sea route. The shipment, handled by Guangzhou Zobon Import and Export Co Ltd in collaboration with Guangdong Huasul Trading Co Ltd, will be used primarily for sesame paste and oil production.

Sesame imported from Pakistan, photo provided to GP

Zhong Haojun, general manager of Zobon, pointed out that while Pakistani sesame is competitively priced, rising Chinese demand has encouraged local farmers to expand cultivation. Pakistan’s extensive sesame cultivation areas, coupled with policy support from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, position the country favorably for continued export growth to China.

“Since we began importing fishmeal from Pakistan in 2015, we’ve built strong relationships that made this sesame shipment possible,” said Yuan Lingmin, General Manager of Huasul. “Our fact-finding trip to Pakistan this February was crucial; together we forged key links with local commerce departments, chambers of commerce and processing facilities that underpinned today’s deal.”

The current shipment of sesame will primarily supply the oil extraction, baking and condiment industries in northern China. Looking ahead, they are seeking to strengthen their partnership with Pakistan through the potential establishment of local processing facilities, a move aimed at enhancing quality control and profitability in the supply chain. This expansion strategy includes further integration of storage, logistics and retail distribution networks in China, as well as exploration of additional Pakistani agricultural products with export potential.