Production increased 107% between 2022 and 2023, reaching 361 thousand tons Sesame cultivation has expanded rapidly in Brazil, with the planted area growing 83% between 2022 and 2023, reaching 660 thousand hectares, according to a report by Itaú BBA. In addition, sesame production increased by 107%, from 174 thousand tons in the 2022/23 harvest to 361 thousand tons in the 2023/24 season. In the 2018/19 harvest, for example, production was only 41 thousand tons.The expansion is mainly driven by its high profitability and low production cost compared to traditional crops, such as safrinha corn , especially in regions where the ideal corn planting window is missed. With lower demand for inputs and greater resistance to drought, sesame presents itself as a more resilient and economical option, which makes it attractive to producers, especially in years of uncertain climate conditions, points out Itaú BBA. However, the crop is not very tolerant to cold weather and high altitudes.Sesame productivity, however, remains limited by technical challenges, such as the lack of specific mechanization and the problem of dehiscence, which leads to seed loss during harvest. The average productivity of sesame in Brazil is still considered low, around 510 kilograms per hectare, well below that of the main exporting countries. According to the report, investments in the genetic improvement of seeds are essential to meet the needs of more demanding markets and improve productivity.In the country, the State of Mato Grosso leads production, representing 64% of the planted area, followed by Pará and Tocantins, with 22 and 13%, respectively. World scenario In the world, sesame is cultivated in 70 countries, especially in Asia and Africa, with the main countries in terms of planted area being Sudan, India, Myanmar and Tanzania, responsible for approximately 64% of the cultivated area worldwide, of 12.8 million hectares, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from 2022.With a high oil content, around 50%, sesame seeds have multiple applications in the food and cosmetics industry, generating a demand that goes beyond the consumption of fresh seeds.The sweet variety, which is most widely accepted on the international market for human consumption, is still rarely cultivated due to greater losses in mechanized harvesting and its lower productivity. It is used, for example, to produce tahini and bread, as well as other dishes from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. External market In the export scenario, in 2023, Brazilian sesame exports reached 151 thousand tons, representing around 42% of national production.India stands out as the main destination, absorbing 38% of the exported volume, followed by Türkiye and Guatemala.The report points out, however, that the possible opening of the Chinese market to Brazilian sesame could represent a great opportunity, as China is the largest global importer of sesame, with 1.1 million tons imported in 2022. “Despite growth, the sesame industry in Brazil faces significant challenges, such as low productivity due to insufficient scientific knowledge, scarce technologies, lack of specific mechanization and seed dehiscence, a natural process of opening capsules and releasing seeds, which can lead to major losses during harvesting,” he says.The report also points out that few purchasing companies operate in the segment in Brazil, making it “essential to carefully select partners to minimize the risks associated with counterparties. An inadequate choice may result in payment problems or non-acceptance of the product, which may negatively impact the profitability of producers,” it warns.