Prices of good-quality black sesame are likely to rule at ₹140-145 a kg during the harvest season, according to a pre-sowing price forecast by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).
The forecast, prepared by the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of TNAU’s Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS), is based on an analysis of sesame prices at the Sivagiri Regulated Market in Erode district over the past 25 years.
India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of sesame. Global production was estimated at 6.7 million tonnes (mt) in 2024, with India accounting for 0.87 mt or 12.93 per cent. Myanmar and Sudan followed with 0.72 mt and 0.63 mt, respectively.
South Korea, the US and Russia are among India’s major sesame export destinations by value.
Major oilseed crop
Sesame is cultivated during both the kharif and rabi seasons and is valued for its edible oil and nutritional properties. According to the Second Advance Estimates for 2025-26, India’s sesame area stood at about 9.90 lakh hectares, with production estimated at 3.66 lakh tonnes and productivity at 369 kg/hectare.
West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the major sesame-growing States.
In Tamil Nadu, sesame production was around 0.34 lakh tonnes from 0.47 lakh hectares in 2024-25, with productivity at 428 kg/hectare. Kallakurichi, Erode, Cuddalore, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Karur and Ariyalur are the major producing districts.
Sesame is popular among farmers in the State because of its high drought tolerance. While white and black varieties are widely cultivated, brown and black seeds are preferred for oil extraction and white sesame is mainly used in confectionery.
Monsoon, arrivals
The TNAU forecast, however, comes with a caveat saying prices could vary depending on monsoon performance and the volume of arrivals from other sesame-growing States.
TNAU has, therefore, advised farmers to take these factors into account while making sowing decisions.