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Sesame seeds: Must India fear?

November 11, 2016 at 1:50 PM , Der AUDITOR
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NEW DELHI. For Indian sesame seed suppliers, the further development of the season could not possibly be more uncertain.

There are the most varied forecasts to be heard on the market concerning the winter harvest. The only thing that all agree on is that the harvest was decidedly smaller than in 2015. Some traders think that 250,000 mt is an entirely realistical average, while there are estimates that lie far below 200,000 mt. Carry-overs are estimated at a solid 60,000 mt, while there are other voices here also, mainly those estimating upward. Exact figures are hard to determine.

Imports, imports
China is holding back with purchases, and should there indeed be a demand again, it will be covered in Africa, most likely. Prices are much lower there, and there are no customs duties. Because of the relatively low availability, market participants take it as a given that India will also have to import 100,000-150,000 mt of African sesame seeds.

sesame seeds India

type

USD/mt

hulled, 99.95%

1,340

natural

1,210

CIF Hamburg

Africa is gaining
It is possible for Africa to supplement its cultivation acreage relatively quickly, if there are agricultural commodities that are especially high in demand. The sesame seed production is supposed to have increased by 200-250% in the last ten years. Traders do not rule out that African sesame seeds will also  be able to assert themselves in import countries, in which they had played a minor role in the past.

sesame prices Africa

type

origin

USD/mt

Gadarif no. 1

Sudan

980

Nile

Sudan

880

Red Sesame

Sudan

830

Bauchi, 98%

Nigeria

920

Bauchi, double-sortex

Nigeria

1,050

CFR Hamburg

Attached Files

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sesame seeds, hulled, mech. dried 3.045-0.9

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