MARKET INSIGHTS

Global sesame meal market size was valued at USD 954 million in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 982 million in 2025 to USD 1170 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period.

Sesame meal is a high-protein byproduct of sesame oil extraction, primarily used as animal feed. This protein-rich residue contains valuable amino acids and minerals, making it particularly suitable for livestock and poultry nutrition. The product is commercially available in two main protein variants: High Protein (>45%) and Low Protein (≤45%), with the high-protein segment dominating over 70% of market share.

Market growth is being driven by increasing global demand for animal feed, particularly in Asia-Pacific where it holds over 50% market share. While the feed industry consumes about 80% of production, emerging applications in organic fertilizers present new opportunities. The market remains fragmented, with top players like Zhengkangoil and Wilmar International collectively holding less than 10% share, reflecting significant growth potential for consolidation and expansion.

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Rising Demand for Animal Protein to Fuel Sesame Meal Market Growth

The global sesame meal market is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by the increasing demand for animal protein across developed and developing economies. As aquaculture and livestock production intensify to meet global protein needs, the requirement for high-quality feed ingredients like sesame meal has surged. Recent data indicates that over 80% of sesame meal production is currently utilized in animal feed applications. The product's rich protein content - particularly in high-protein variants exceeding 45% - makes it an attractive alternative to more expensive protein sources like soybean meal in balanced feed formulations.

Growing Awareness of Sesame Meal Nutritional Benefits Accelerates Adoption

Heightened awareness about the nutritional profile of sesame meal is transforming market dynamics. Unlike many plant-based protein sources, sesame meal contains methionine and cysteine - two sulfur-containing amino acids critical for animal growth but often deficient in vegetable proteins. This unique composition has led to increased incorporation in poultry and swine rations, particularly in Asia where these livestock sectors are expanding rapidly. Furthermore, the presence of natural antioxidants like sesamin and sesamolin in sesame meal is gaining attention for their potential to enhance animal health and product quality.

➤ For instance, in high-protein aquaculture feed formulations, sesame meal inclusion rates of 15-20% have shown improved feed conversion ratios without compromising growth performance.

The market is also benefiting from sustainable sourcing initiatives, as sesame cultivation requires relatively low water input compared to other oilseed crops. This environmental advantage aligns well with the growing focus on sustainable animal production systems worldwide.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Price Volatility and Supply Chain Disruptions Challenge Market Stability

While the sesame meal market shows promising growth, it faces considerable challenges from price volatility in raw material markets. Sesame seed prices have exhibited 15-20% annual fluctuations in recent years, driven by climate variability in major producing regions and changing trade policies. This instability directly impacts meal pricing and creates uncertainty for both feed manufacturers and livestock producers regarding long-term procurement strategies.

Other Constraints

Limited Production Capacity
Unlike soybeans which benefit from large-scale mechanized production, sesame cultivation remains largely dependent on smallholder farmers in developing nations. This fragmentation limits the ability to rapidly scale production in response to growing demand, creating supply-demand imbalances during peak consumption periods.

Nutritional Limitations
Despite its protein benefits, sesame meal contains anti-nutritional factors like oxalates and phytates that can reduce mineral bioavailability. This necessitates additional processing or supplementation in feed formulations, adding to production costs and limiting inclusion rates in some applications.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Competition from Alternative Protein Sources Intensifies Market Pressure

The sesame meal market faces growing competition from both traditional and novel protein sources in animal nutrition. Soybean meal continues to dominate the plant protein segment with over 60% market share in feed formulations, benefiting from established supply chains and consistent quality parameters. Meanwhile, emerging single-cell proteins and insect meal alternatives are gaining traction in premium feed segments, potentially eroding sesame meal's market position.

Regulatory Hurdles in International Trade Create Market Bottlenecks

Divergent quality standards and import regulations across key markets present significant operational challenges. Some countries impose strict limits on residual oil content in meal imports, while others mandate specific heat treatment protocols to address Salmonella risks. These regulatory variations require producers to maintain multiple product specifications, increasing production complexity and inventory management costs.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Expansion in Organic and Non-GMO Feed Segments Offers Growth Potential

The sesame meal market stands to benefit significantly from the rapid expansion of organic livestock production worldwide. Unlike many competing protein sources, sesame is naturally non-GMO and adapts well to organic cultivation practices. With the global organic feed market projected to grow at over 7% annually, sesame meal producers have opportunities to establish premium product lines catering to this lucrative segment.

Technological Advancements in Processing Enhance Product Value

Innovations in dehulling and oil extraction technologies are creating new opportunities for quality improvement and value addition. Modern mechanical pressing methods can now produce sesame meal with protein content exceeding 50% while reducing fiber levels, making the product more versatile for high-performance animal diets. Additionally, the development of specialized fermentation techniques shows promise for reducing anti-nutritional factors and improving protein digestibility.

Strategic partnerships between sesame processors and feed manufacturers are expected to drive market expansion, particularly in developing regions where demand for affordable protein sources is growing most rapidly. These collaborations enable tailored product development and more efficient supply chain integration.

Sesame Meal Market

Segment Analysis:

By Type

High Protein Segment Dominates the Market Due to Superior Nutritional Value in Animal Feed

The market is segmented based on type into:

• High Protein (above 45%)

• Low Protein (45% and below)

By Application

Feed Segment Leads Due to High Demand in Livestock and Poultry Nutrition

The market is segmented based on application into:

• Feed

• Fertilizer

• Others

By End User

Animal Husbandry Sector Drives Demand for High-Quality Protein Sources

The market is segmented based on end user into:

• Commercial Feed Manufacturers

• Farmers and Livestock Producers

• Organic Agriculture Practitioners

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Market Players Leverage Strategic Partnerships and Product Innovation to Capture Growth

The global sesame meal market remains fragmented, characterized by numerous small-to-medium sized players alongside emerging regional leaders. Unlike sectors with dominant multinational corporations, the top three sesame meal producers collectively hold just 8% market share as of 2024. This competitive dynamic creates opportunities for agile companies to gain share through targeted expansion and product differentiation.

Zhengkangoil and ASB Group currently lead the market through their vertically integrated operations – controlling everything from sesame cultivation to oil extraction and meal production. Their competitive advantage stems from cost efficiencies in processing and established distribution networks across Asia and Africa. Meanwhile, HL Agro is gaining traction through focus on premium high-protein (>45%) variants, which command price premiums in animal feed markets.

What's notable is how regional specialization shapes competition. Suminter India Organics dominates South Asian markets through organic certification and sustainable sourcing practices, while Hydrocolloids has carved a niche in the European specialty feed additive sector. This regional fragmentation means companies often compete intensely within geographies while facing limited cross-border rivalry.

Looking ahead, we're seeing strategic shifts in competitive approaches. Established players like Wilmar International are investing in upstream integration to secure raw material supplies, while smaller innovators such as Greenery Craft Co focus on value-added applications like protein fortification. The market's projected 3% CAGR through 2032 suggests these competitive strategies will intensify as companies jostle for position in this $1.17 billion opportunity.

List of Key Sesame Meal Companies Profiled

• Zhengkangoil (China)

• ASB Group (India)

• HL Agro (India)

• Suminter India Organics (India)

• Hydrocolloids (India)

• Wilmar International (Singapore)

• Takemoto Oil & Fat Co (Japan)

• Greenery Craft Co (India)

• San Mu Shih Ye Co (Taiwan)

• Anhui Yanzhuang (China)

• Jiaozuo Lierda (China)

• Royal Flour Mills (Saudi Arabia)

• Allalkathi (Turkey)

SESAME MEAL MARKET TRENDS

Rising Demand for High-Protein Animal Feed to Drive Market Growth

The global sesame meal market is witnessing substantial growth due to increasing demand for high-protein animal feed, particularly in the poultry and aquaculture sectors. With a protein content exceeding 45%, sesame meal has emerged as a cost-effective alternative to soybean meal in feed formulations. The feed industry accounts for approximately 80% of sesame meal consumption, with Asia-Pacific leading demand due to its expanding livestock production. While global market value reached $954 million in 2024, projections indicate a steady 3.0% CAGR through 2032, driven by compound feed production growth estimated at 4.1% annually in developing nations. This trend is further supported by rising meat consumption patterns and the need for sustainable protein sources in animal nutrition.

Other Trends

Plant-Based Nutrition Expansion

Beyond animal feed applications, sesame meal is gaining traction in plant-based food products as manufacturers seek nutrient-dense, allergen-free protein sources. The meal's rich amino acid profile, particularly its methionine content, makes it valuable for vegan protein supplements and functional foods. This diversification comes as the plant-based protein market grows at 7.7% annually, creating new revenue streams for sesame processors. However, challenges remain in optimizing flavor profiles and functionality in human food applications due to the meal's natural bitterness and fiber content.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices Reshaping Supply Chains

The push toward sustainable agriculture is transforming sesame meal production, with emphasis on circular economy models in oilseed processing. Major producers are investing in energy-efficient extraction technologies that maximize protein retention while minimizing waste. These advancements coincide with growing regulatory pressures to reduce food industry carbon footprints, where sesame meal's low greenhouse gas emissions compared to competing protein sources present a competitive advantage. Regional production hubs are emerging near major feed manufacturing centers to reduce transportation emissions, though infrastructure limitations in African producing nations continue to challenge supply chain optimization.

Regional Analysis: Sesame Meal Market

North America
The North American sesame meal market is driven by high protein demand in animal feed formulations and a growing preference for sustainable feed ingredients. The U.S. dominates regional consumption, with major livestock producers incorporating sesame meal as a cost-effective protein alternative to soybean meal. However, market penetration faces challenges due to competition from established oilseed meals and limited domestic sesame oil production. The region exhibits strict quality standards for animal feed, pushing suppliers to focus on high-protein (>45%) meal varieties. Recent trade policies favoring agricultural byproduct utilization are creating new opportunities, though infrastructure constraints in processing capacity remain a bottleneck.

Europe
Europe's market is characterized by stringent EU feed safety regulations and increasing demand for non-GMO protein sources. Germany and France lead consumption, with the poultry sector being the primary end-user. The region's focus on circular economy principles has boosted interest in byproduct utilization, though sesame meal adoption remains moderate compared to rapeseed and sunflower meals. Organic certification trends are driving niche demand, particularly in Nordic countries. Challenges include logistical complexities in sourcing and price volatility linked to African and Asian supply chains. Recent developments show growing R&D into value-added applications like aquaculture feed.

Asia-Pacific
As the largest global market (over 50% share), Asia-Pacific benefits from proximity to major sesame-producing nations like India and Myanmar. China's massive livestock industry consumes significant volumes, primarily for poultry and swine feed. While price sensitivity keeps demand skewed toward standard protein content meals (<45%), premiumization trends are emerging in Japan and South Korea. India's market is unique - as both a major producer and consumer - with domestic small-scale oil mills supplying local feed manufacturers. Infrastructure gaps in rural areas and inconsistent quality standards pose challenges, but urbanization and protein demand growth present long-term opportunities.

South America
The region shows nascent but promising growth, particularly in Brazil's expanding livestock sector. Sesame meal utilization remains low compared to dominant soybean meal, but offers potential as a rotational protein source during supply shortages. Argentina has seen increased experimentation in feed formulations, leveraging its growing sesame oil export industry. Economic instability and currency fluctuations frequently disrupt import-dependent supply chains, while limited consumer awareness about sesame meal benefits hampers market development. Recent trade agreements with African producers could improve availability, though infrastructure limitations in port handling and inland transport persist.

Middle East & Africa
Africa's market potential is substantial, given its position as a leading sesame producer (Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria), yet most high-quality meal is exported. Domestic utilization is growing in poultry and aquaculture sectors, particularly in North African countries. The Middle East shows demand concentrated in UAE and Saudi Arabia, driven by feed imports for intensive livestock operations. Challenges include processing technology gaps and inconsistent power supply affecting local production. Regional initiatives to add value to agricultural exports are prompting new investments in meal processing facilities, though political instability in key producing nations remains a risk factor.

Report Scope

This market research report offers a holistic overview of global and regional sesame meal markets for the forecast period 2025–2032. It presents accurate and actionable insights based on a blend of primary and secondary research.

Key Coverage Areas:

• ✅ Market Overview

  • Global and regional market size (historical & forecast)

  • Growth trends and value/volume projections

• ✅ Segmentation Analysis

  • By product type (High Protein (>45%) and Low Protein (≤45%))

  • By application (Feed, Fertilizer, Others)

  • By end-user industry (Animal Nutrition, Agriculture)

  • By distribution channel (B2B, Retail)

• ✅ Regional Insights

  • North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa

  • Country-level data for key markets (China, India, US, Germany, etc.)

• ✅ Competitive Landscape

  • Company profiles and market share analysis

  • Key strategies: M&A, partnerships, expansions

  • Product portfolio and pricing strategies

• ✅ Technology & Innovation

  • Emerging processing technologies

  • Digitalization in supply chain management

  • Sustainability initiatives in production

• ✅ Market Dynamics

  • Key drivers supporting market growth

  • Restraints and potential risk factors

  • Supply chain trends and challenges

• ✅ Opportunities & Recommendations

  • High-growth segments

  • Investment hotspots

  • Strategic suggestions for stakeholders

• ✅ Stakeholder Insights

  • Target audience includes manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, investors, regulators, and policymakers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is the current market size of Global Sesame Meal Market?

-> The global sesame meal market was valued at USD 954 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1170 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.0%.

Which key companies operate in Global Sesame Meal Market?

-> Key players include Zhengkangoil, ASB Group, HL Agro, Suminter India Organics, Hydrocolloids, Wilmar International, among others. The top 3 players hold about 8% market share.

What are the key growth drivers?

-> Key growth drivers include rising demand for animal feed, increasing sesame oil production, and growing awareness about high-protein feed ingredients.

Which region dominates the market?

-> Asia-Pacific holds the largest market share (over 50%), followed by Europe and North America, which collectively account for over 85% of global demand.

What are the emerging trends?

-> Emerging trends include sustainable processing methods, premium high-protein variants, and integration with digital supply chain solutions.