ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China have witnessed an impressive 87% jump during the first nine months of 2025, reaching $68.56 million, according to official data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Between January and September 2025, Pakistan shipped 55.6 million kilograms of sesame seeds to China, averaging $1.23 per kilogram. This marks a sharp rise from the 23.9 million kilograms exported during the same period last year, valued at $36.6 million, showing a 132% increase in volume and highlighting growing trade momentum between the two nations.
Industry experts attribute this growth to improved agricultural yields and enhanced cooperation between Pakistani exporters and Chinese importers. Over the past year, several joint ventures have focused on value addition, post-harvest processing, and quality control, allowing Pakistani sesame to compete more effectively in the global market.
China remains the world’s largest importer of sesame seeds, driven by its growing demand for edible oils, snacks, and health-related food products. The country’s top suppliers include Niger ($543 million), Togo ($189 million), Tanzania ($161 million), Ethiopia ($144 million), Mozambique ($121 million), and Myanmar ($88 million) with Pakistan now emerging as one of the fastest-rising exporters.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, noted that recent trade initiatives have played a major role in strengthening this upward trend. Speaking at the “Sesame Trade and Investment Opportunities in China” event in September 2024, he highlighted that a 23-member Pakistani delegation had secured contracts for 15,000 metric tons of sesame and signed a $28 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Daming government-backed enterprises.
Ambassador Hashmi further revealed that 177 Pakistani sesame companies are now registered in China a milestone that reflects growing trust and long-term partnership potential in the agricultural trade sector.
Analysts believe that Pakistan’s high-quality sesame seeds, coupled with a favorable climate and expanding cultivation, position the country for continued export growth in the coming years. Despite challenges posed by recent floods and supply chain disruptions, experts remain optimistic that the upward trend will continue as both nations deepen their trade and investment ties.
