Sesame seed exports to China surge 190%

BEIJING: Pakistan's sesame seed exports to China increased by 190.48 % year over year to $42.88 million in the first two months of 2022.

According to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), China imported 28,662.66 tons of sesame seeds worth $42.88 million in the first half of this year, up from 11,874.82 tons worth $14.76 million the previous year.

The bilateral trade has expanded dramatically in the first two months of 2022, with Pakistani exports to China surpassing $670 million, a nearly 23 percent increase.

Rakesh Pal Khamuani, Director of Exports and Business Development, told China Economic Net in January that after the free trade agreement came into effect, sesame seed trade between China and Pakistan increased.

"From August 2021 to March 2022, % of the agricultural production is exported in the crop year 2021-22. This is the first time in history that the crop has been done even before the next harvest season begins, with exports to China ranging from September 2021 to March 2022," he noted.

According to the Director of Exports and Business Development, the sesame seed trade has lately become highly significant in Pakistan.

Pakistan produces 100,000 tons of sesame seeds on average, of which 85 percent is exported and the rest is utilized in local bakeries and sweets throughout the winter.

"Looking ahead to 2022, just 35% of total production was sold to China from January to March, despite our expectations of significantly more. However, between September and December 2021, exports to China accounted for 85 percent of overall output," he said.

It is to be noted that the export of Pakistan sesame seeds to China achieved a historical figure of $120.44 million in 2021.

China was one of the primary destinations for sesame seed exports from Pakistan in 2021, importing 92,516.55 tons.