What it is
A small oilseed for gingelly oil, hulled sesame for bakery and export, and sweets like gajak and rewari.
White and black sesameNatural and hulled sesame (purity 99.95% grades for export)
Where imports come from
India both exports and imports sesame; imports were US$ 198.85 million in 2024-25 (HS 120740).
- Brazil — US$ 141.24 million imported under HS 120740 in 2024-25
- Nigeria — US$ 20.81 million imported under HS 120740 in 2024-25
- Somalia — US$ 13.04 million imported under HS 120740 in 2024-25
Rules before you buy or sell
- Farm-gate trade usually goes through a state APMC mandi or e-NAM; the state's market fee and trader licence rules apply.
- Imports of seeds, grain and plant products need a phytosanitary certificate and clearance under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.
- FSSAI licence or registration is needed to process, pack, store or sell it as food (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
- Exports to the EU need ethylene oxide and pesticide-residue testing; register with IOPEPC/APEDA as applicable.
Businesses that use it
Sesame Seed Cleaning and Grading →Hulled (Confectionery-Grade) Sesame Seed →Gingelly (Sesame) Oil and Oil Cake →Cold-Pressed (Wood Ghani) Sesame Oil Unit →Gajak (Til-Gur Sweet) →