BEIJING: Pakistan’s export of sesame seeds to China exhibited a remarkable growth of 126.29 percent on a year-on-year basis, from January to December surpassing $290 million, as highlighted by Ghulam Qadir, the Commercial Counsellor at the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing.
Data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) indicates that China imported 166,682.987 tons of sesame seeds from Pakistan in 2023, marking a substantial increase of 96.13% by volume. This translated to a total value of $290.66 million, in contrast to 84,985.321 tons valued at $128.44 million in 2022.
Ghulam Qadir further noted that exports of Pakistan to China in 2023 surpassed $3.459 billion, marking a modest increase of 1.4% compared to the previous year. According to GACC data, China’s total sesame seed imports worldwide in 2023 amounted to 912,814.577 tons valued at approximately $1.52 billion.
Among the top exporters of sesame seeds to China, the African country Niger retained its position for the third consecutive year, exporting 192,529.528 tons worth $309.51 million. Pakistan followed closely with exports valued at $290.66 million, trailed by Tanzania with $239.83 million.
In terms of contribution, Pakistan accounted for approximately 19 percent of the total sesame seed exports to China from January to December 2023.
