Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
THE 2026 sesame marketing season has commenced, with buyers offering prices ranging between US$0,60 and US$0,90 per kilogramme.
This follows stakeholder meetings held in sesame-producing areas to outline buying modalities and anti-smuggling measures to be implemented in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Rural District Councils (RDCs) to curb side marketing.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) market update report dated May 11 revealed that measures were being taken to curb side marketing.
AMA organised the Sesame Indaba last year to address challenges in the sector, including unlawful contracting, side marketing, limited certified seed and weak research investment, insufficient financing, weak traceability and export documentation, as well as lack of infrastructure for value addition and aggregation.
Last year, the Government published the Agricultural Marketing Authority [Regulatory Circular on the Sesame Production and Marketing Modalities], Regulatory Circular Number 1 of 2025, which applies to all registered sesame contractors, traders, processors and growers.
AMA said an improved 2025 agricultural season and enhanced regulation by the authority helped limit the smuggling of the product and drove an increase in exports through formal channels.
Sesame prices are market-driven, with most buyers acting as price takers.
“This underscores the need to pursue the China protocol to enable direct exports. Fast-tracking of the China trade protocol will directly accelerate the growth of this sub-sector,” said AMA.
The Chinese market is considered lucrative; however, there is currently no Zimbabwe–China sesame trade protocol in place.
Sesame marketing typically runs from May to September.
According to the Second Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment 2 (CLAFA 2) report, sesame production is expected to rise by 42 percent to 29 252 tonnes this year, up from 20 667 tonnes last year.
Sesame farming has expanded significantly, growing by 264 percent from 17 110 hectares in the 2018/19 season to 62 259 hectares in the 2024/25 season.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) show the country earned US$3 835 891 from sesame exports last year, up from US$1 524 766 in 2024, representing a 152 percent increase.
In volume terms, sesame exports rose by 188 percent from 1,3 million kilogrammes to 3,8 million kilogrammes.
However, the average price declined by 13 percent, from US$1,17 to US$1,02 per kilogramme.
Sesame is a small seed-bearing plant widely cultivated in the country’s smallholder farming sector, particularly in low-lying areas characterised by high temperatures.
The crop is primarily grown for its seeds, which are used across various industries, including food processing, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Sesame seeds serve multiple purposes, mainly as a culinary ingredient that adds flavour and texture to dishes, and as a source of nutrients and health benefits.
The seeds can be consumed whole, ground or toasted, and are commonly used in baking, stir-fries, salads and a variety of other recipes.
In addition, sesame oil is extracted from the seeds for use in cooking and in some traditional remedies.
Contractors are advocating expanded cultivation to meet strong demand from international markets, including Turkey, India and China.
Sesame is increasingly recognised as a key export crop with significant potential to generate foreign currency for Zimbabwe.
The crop’s appeal is further enhanced by its low input costs and minimal requirement for chemical treatments, making it an attractive option for agricultural expansion, with some financial institutions now funding its production.
