Sesame Seeds Market: Softening Indian FOB, Firm Egyptian Offers

Indian and Egyptian sesame seed prices are diverging slightly, with FOB New Delhi easing on good domestic arrivals while Egyptian FOB Cairo remains flat to firm on strong food export momentum. Weather in key Indian sesame belts looks broadly supportive, limiting upside risk in the very near term. Indian mandi and export indications show a mildly softer tone but no sign of a sharp correction, as spot prices still trade above the new MSP and export demand stays active. In Egypt, food exports as a whole are expanding, helping keep sentiment firm for value-added oilseed products even as global buyers compare Egyptian and Indian origins closely on price and quality. Over the next few days, both origins are likely to trade in relatively narrow ranges, with small discounts from Indian sellers to stay competitive into Asia and the Middle East.

Prices

All price indications converted at ~€0.011 per INR and ~€0.92 per US$ for reference.

These reference points are consistent with the current FOB New Delhi offers provided, which show a broad, gently declining trend across natural and hulled categories over the past three weeks.

Supply & Demand

India remains the key driver on the supply side. Fresh mandi data indicate sesame modal prices around ₹11,800 per quintal (≈€1.30/kg) as of 2 September 2026, with only a marginal 0.5% easing over the last month, signaling comfortable but not burdensome arrivals.

Importantly, spot mandi prices still trade about 7% above the 2026–27 MSP of ₹10,346/qtl (≈€1.14/kg), suggesting that state-backed procurement is not yet needed to support growers and that market-clearing demand remains healthy. Export data confirm continued international interest: Indian sesame exports have been active through 2026, with thousands of shipments across more than 50 countries, led by the US and East/Southeast Asia.

In Egypt, sector-wide food exports grew strongly in the first seven months of 2026, reaching USD 1.679 billion to ten key markets and rising by about USD 398 million year-on-year. While this statistic covers processed foods broadly rather than sesame alone, it underpins firm export sentiment and logistics for oilseeds and ingredients from Egyptian ports.

Weather & Crop Conditions (IN, EG)

For India, the latest outlook from the India Meteorological Department points to subdued rainfall over peninsular India in early September and generally near-normal conditions elsewhere. For sesame-growing belts in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh, this implies limited immediate weather stress and good field access for late agronomic operations.

The forecast for the period through 9 September 2026 does not indicate any widespread flooding or severe deficit specifically impacting sesame areas, so weather is currently a neutral-to-slightly-supportive factor for yields and quality. In Egypt, no major adverse weather alerts have been issued for the Nile Valley in recent days, and broader fresh-produce reporting points to normal to favorable conditions for field crops and tree crops, supporting a stable outlook for sesame fields as well.

Fundamentals & Price Drivers

• India – domestic support level: With mandi prices still above MSP, growers are not under strong pressure, while processors and exporters retain some bargaining power thanks to ample arrivals and slightly softer FOB indications.
• Export demand: Daily-updated export data show sustained shipments from India to over 50 markets, led by the US, Vietnam and Indonesia. This supports baseline demand but buyers are price-sensitive after earlier firmness.
• Egypt – food export momentum: Robust growth in overall food exports is encouraging for Egyptian sesame exporters, helping port and logistics efficiency and supporting stable to slightly firm FOB ideas for golden and natural grades.
• Currency & competition: Buyers are comparing Indian and Egyptian offers closely. The slight easing in Indian mandi and export values, combined with competitive freight into the Middle East and Asia, leaves India marginally better positioned on price, while Egypt competes more on quality niches and proximity to Mediterranean markets.

Short-Term Trading Outlook (3-day)

• Indian FOB sellers (IN): Consider holding offers broadly steady with a mild discount bias for prompt shipments, especially on bulk natural grades, while keeping premiums on specialty and organic lots where supply is thinner.
• Egyptian FOB sellers (EG): Maintain current price ideas but stay flexible on freight and payment terms for Asian and Gulf destinations, where competition from India is strongest.
• Importers in MENA/EU: Use the current soft tone in India to lock in nearby coverage, particularly for Q4 needs, while testing Egyptian suppliers for quality-driven blends rather than volume-only coverage.