Uganda's Sesame Sector
Sesame (locally called simsim) is one of Uganda's most important cash crops — primarily grown in the north and northeast of Uganda by smallholder farmers. Uganda is one of Africa's largest sesame producers and exporters, with the crop generating significant foreign exchange earnings. The global demand for sesame — particularly white sesame for food processing and black sesame for Asian markets — provides strong and sustained export opportunities for Ugandan producers and exporters.
Sesame Growing Regions Uganda
| Region | Key Districts | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Uganda | Gulu, Lira, Kitgum, Pader, Agago | Primary production region, largest volumes |
| North East | Katakwi, Soroti, Kumi, Ngora | High quality white sesame |
| West Nile | Arua, Nebbi, Zombo | Growing production area |
Sesame Production Economics Uganda
- Yield: 400 to 800 kg per hectare without inputs; up to 1,200 kg with improved varieties and fertiliser
- Farm gate price 2026: UGX 4,500 — 7,000 per kg — varies by season and quality
- Export price: USD 1,200 — 1,800 per tonne (conventional); USD 2,000 — 3,000 per tonne (organic certified)
- Production cost per hectare: UGX 800,000 — 1,500,000 including land preparation, seed, labour, harvesting
Sesame Export from Uganda
- Main buyers: India, China, Japan, Middle East — sesame is a major commodity in Asian and Middle Eastern cooking
- Export licence required from Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB)
- Quality standards: moisture below 6%, foreign matter below 1%, free from aflatoxin
- Export route: mostly Mombasa port via Northern Corridor
Organic Sesame — Premium Opportunity
Organic-certified sesame from Uganda attracts 40 to 70% price premium over conventional. Certification through Control Union, Ecocert, or CERES costs UGX 3M to 8M for a farmer group but delivers significantly higher returns per kilogram exported.
💬 Need agribusiness programme management or export advisory for sesame in Uganda?
Basket Advisory supports agribusiness operators with farmer mobilisation, programme management and payroll for field staff across Uganda. Want to know more? Talk to our consultant.