Sesame Seed Market Data, Quality and Trade

Editorial evidence reviewedReviewed 2026-09-09Release 2026-09-19-batch-230

Market value

$3.1B

Producing countries tracked

9

Grading systems

1

Active supply risks

3

Trade corridors

3

Latest reviewed evidence

The records below identify current official boundaries for sesame evidence: FAOSTAT's annual crop-production dataset currently covers through 2024; the 2026 U.S. tariff schedule classifies sesame seeds under 1207.40.00; U.S. packaged-food allergen labeling has included sesame since January 1, 2023; and Codex's named-oils standard separately defines sesame oil. These are classification, coverage and regulatory records—not global production totals, current physical offers or live delivered prices.

FAOSTAT sesame-production series latest covered year

2024

calendar year · dataset revision 2025-12-15

United States sesame-seed tariff classification

12074000

eight-digit HTS code · 2026 schedule accessed 2026-09-09

United States sesame allergen-labeling effective year

2023

calendar year · effective January 1, 2023

Codex named vegetable oils standard latest amendment

2024

amendment year · CXS 210-1999

Natural, hulled, colored, planting and processed sesame are separate products

Natural or unhulled sesame retains the seed coat; hulled seed has undergone a processing step that changes appearance, composition, handling and end-use requirements. White or light selections, black sesame and other color specifications are commercial descriptions that still need an agreed sample or measurable tolerance. Planting seed adds identity, purity, germination and treatment requirements, while roasted seed, tahini and sesame oil are processed products with separate specifications and classifications. Atlas keeps form, color, intended use and processing stage attached before comparing evidence.

Quality, food safety and allergen controls travel with the lot

A tradeable sesame record preserves the agreed purity and foreign-material basis, moisture, damaged or immature seed, color and size or count method, crop year, sampling and certificate context. Food lots may also require microbiological controls, pesticide or contaminant limits and buyer-specific treatment evidence. In the United States, FDA identifies sesame as the ninth major food allergen for packaged-food labeling from January 1, 2023. That regulatory fact does not establish the quality or safety of a particular shipment; lot evidence and destination rules still govern.

Official classifications do not determine a delivered sesame price

FAOSTAT's production dataset, the U.S. tariff classification and Codex's separate definition of sesame oil establish useful data and product boundaries, but none is a current physical offer. A delivered sesame price still requires the exact natural or hulled form, color and size basis, food or crush use, quality and safety results, crop year, treatment, pack, origin, quantity, destination, Incoterm, delivery window, currency and current permitted market evidence. Atlas withholds a live physical price when those observations are absent.

Questions procurement teams ask

Are natural and hulled sesame seeds interchangeable?

No. Hulling changes the product form and can change composition, appearance, processing history and end-use requirements. Offers must retain hulled status, color, size or count basis and applicable quality evidence.

Does HTS 1207.40.00 define sesame quality?

No. It is the cited U.S. tariff classification for sesame seeds. It does not define purity, moisture, color, size, food safety, origin, packaging or commercial grade.

Is sesame oil the same trade product as sesame seed?

No. Codex defines sesame oil as oil derived from sesame seed, but seed and oil remain separate product stages with different specifications, classifications and price evidence.

Which fields make physical sesame offers comparable?

Product form and intended use, species or variety where material, hulled status, color and size or count basis, purity, moisture, foreign material, damage, oil content where specified, food-safety and residue requirements, allergen controls, crop year, treatment, packaging, origin and traceability, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and evidence date.