Top Sesame Seed Oil Producing Countries

Sesame seed oil, prized for its rich flavor and health benefits, is primarily produced in countries where sesame (Sesamum indicum) has been cultivated for millennia. India and China are the world’s leading producers, accounting for the majority of both sesame seed and oil output, followed by Myanmar, Sudan, and Nigeria. The history of sesame seed oil production traces back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, where sesame was one of the earliest oilseed crops domesticated for both culinary and medicinal uses. The oil’s extraction spread through trade routes to East Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean, with each region developing unique pressing and refining techniques. Today, sesame oil remains integral to Asian, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines, with global demand driving modern mechanized production in the top producing countries.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat