• Why is sesame oil so popular in Europe?
  • Sesame oil is increasingly used as a gourmet product in home and out-of-home consumption in Europe. The speciality oil segment is focused on high quality, sold at a higher price. Cold-pressed and high-quality toasted (one of the most-sold speciality oils in the United Kingdom) sesame oils are becoming especially popular.
  • How much sesame oil is consumed in Europe?
  • In 2014, European consumption of sesame oil was 5,000 tonnes. The United Kingdom is the most important market for sesame oil in Europe, with a consumption of 2,000 tonnes in 2014 (around 40% of the market). Germany accounted for around 20% of the European market in 2014, with a consumption of 1,000 tonnes.
  • Where does sesame oil come from?
  • In 2015, 50% of the imported sesame oil originated directly from developing countries. The main developing-country suppliers of sesame oil to Europe were Mexico (29% of total European imports), India (8.5%) and China (5.4%).
  • Can I Sell sesame oil in Europe?
  • Buyers in the European Union have strict requirements for sesame oil. You will only be able to successfully market your product in Europe when you comply with these requirements. See our study on buyer requirements for vegetable oils for a detailed analysis of these requirements.
  • Why are sesame oil imports increasing?
  • Since 2011, imports increased at an annual rate of 7.1% in volume, mainly due to the expanding use of sesame oil in Europe, both in Asian cuisines as well as in gourmet and health products. In 2015, 50% of the imported sesame oil originated directly from developing countries.
  • Why is origin important for sesame oil?
  • Origin is also a point of attention for sesame oil. The indication of origin is a factor affecting demand and prices for sesame oil, as sesame oil with a specific origin is especially popular on the market. This also affects the traceability of the product, which is an important requirement on the European market.