In 1993, the world trade in sesame seed was 486,000 t. Japan was the largest importer taking 24% of the world imports.
The second largest importer was the USA with 8% of world imports. It is forecast that the imports of sesame seed will grow at between 6 and 8% per annum.
Australia imported 6400 t of sesame seed in 1996 (worth $A12.7m), with China, Mexico and India the main suppliers. Australian sesame seed production is centred in the Northern Territory and Queensland, with New South Wales showing interest.
Although production has fallen from 291 t in 1988–89 to 90 t in 1993–94, it is anticipated that improvements in cultivars and harvesting technology will increase production.
There is an obvious potential to develop markets for Australian sesame seed, both here and overseas. Sesame seed is presently imported into Australia either as a whole seed and then de-hulled or imported de-hulled.
Oil industry
Australia imported 769 t of sesame oil and sesame products in 1996 (worth $A3.7m). Currently, there is one sesame oil processor in Australia producing small quantities of sesame oil from locally grown seed.
Confectionery and biscuit industry
The raw seeds currently used in Australia for confectionery and biscuit production are sourced from local and overseas suppliers.
Tahini industry
Tahini, a traditional Middle Eastern sesame paste, is made from hulled sesame seed. Market demand is currently met by local manufacturers and imports from Mexico, the Middle East and some Mediterranean countries. Dip and spread manufacturers. Dip manufacturers add ingredients, such as chickpeas and eggplant, to tahini and call the products Hommus and Baba Gannouj. These manufacturers purchase their tahini from local suppliers and some also use imports.
Bakery industry
The bakery industry prefers de-hulled seeds, which are purchased from local and overseas suppliers.
Halva industry
Halva is a popular sweet made by mixing approximately 50% tahini with boiled/whipped sugar and several other ingredients to a manufacturer’s recipe. At present all halva sold in Australia is fully imported from Greece, Turkey and Israel.
Attention to two aspects— natural antioxidants and organic sesame—could improve marketing of Australian sesame seed.
Sesame seed contains antioxidants which inhibit the development of rancidity in the oil. In the food industry, where synthetic antioxidants are used extensively, there is an increasing demand for more natural products. With the growing demand for organically grown food there is a market for sesame products produced under organic conditions.
Crop potential
During the 1970–80s Australian agronomists targeted chickpea and canola in their search for new commercial crops. Now, almost two decades later, chickpeas and canola are grown extensively, with domestic and international sales. Sesame has the potential to follow their development pattern with adequate research and persistence by scientists and farmers.
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