Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is pressed from the seed of Sesamum indicum. Two distinct products trade under the name. Light sesame oil, pressed from raw seed, is a pale general purpose cooking and salad oil. Toasted sesame oil, pressed from roasted seed, is dark, intensely aromatic and used in small quantities as a seasoning across East and Southeast Asia. The oil is naturally very stable because of the sesamol and sesamin it carries, and it is also used in pharmaceutical preparations, in traditional medicine and in cosmetics.
Listed sesame oil markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Sesame oil is graded on whether the seed was roasted before pressing, on the pressing route, on the seed colour and hulling state, and on the lignan figures that confirm the oil is sesame and confirm how it was made.
Processing route and form
11 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Light, raw pressedPressed from unroasted seed | Pale, mild. The cooking and salad grade. |
| Toasted, darkPressed from roasted seed, with the roast level declared | Dark amber to brown, strongly aromatic. A seasoning oil, not a cooking oil, and priced separately. |
| Roast levelDeclared: light, medium or dark, against a sealed reference sample | The single largest driver of flavour and colour in the toasted grade. |
| Cold pressedMechanically pressed with the press outlet held below a stated temperature | Temperature is a contract term, not an adjective. It preserves the minor components and the flavour, and it costs yield. |
| Expeller pressedMechanically pressed without a declared temperature ceiling | Higher yield, darker oil, higher free fatty acids. |
| Solvent extractedHexane extraction of the seed or of the press cake | The highest yield route. Residual solvent is a contract and regulatory term. |
| Refined, bleached and deodorisedFully refined by the stated route, chemical or physical | A neutral oil. Colour, flavour and free fatty acids are removed, and so are most of the minor components. |
| Hulled or unhulled seedDeclared | Hulled seed gives a paler oil and lower oxalate. Unhulled carries more minerals and more colour. |
| Seed colourDeclared: white, brown, black or mixed, named on the contract | Black sesame oil is a separate product with its own market, particularly in East Asia. |
| FiltrationDeclared: unfiltered, filtered to a stated micron rating, or winterised | Determines clarity and behaviour at low temperature. |
| OrganicCertified under the destination market scheme, with dedicated pressing | Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number, because the press line has to be documented as well as the crop. |
Quality and condition
16 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sesamol and sesamolinMilligrams per kilogram, by HPLC | The natural antioxidants that give this oil its stability. Also an identity marker. |
| SesaminMilligrams per kilogram, by HPLC | A lignan specific to sesame. Its presence and level confirm the oil and indicate the refining state. |
| AromaAssessed against a sealed reference sample of the contracted roast level | The commercial term in the toasted grade, always paired with the colour measurement. |
| Free fatty acidsPercentage, expressed as the stated reference acid | Determined by ISO 660. The controlling commercial figure. It rises with poor fruit or seed, slow processing and wet storage. |
| Peroxide valueMilliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram | Determined by ISO 3960. Measures oxidation already under way. |
| Anisidine valueDimensionless, by the standard method | Determined by ISO 6885. Measures secondary oxidation, which peroxide value alone will miss in an oil that has already turned over. |
| TotoxTwice the peroxide value plus the anisidine value | The combined oxidation term, where a buyer contracts one number. |
| Moisture and volatile matterMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 662. |
| Insoluble impuritiesMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 663. |
| ColourLovibond red and yellow in a stated cell length, or a stated instrumental scale | Measured, not described. |
| Iodine valueGrams of iodine per 100 grams | Determined by ISO 3961. Measures unsaturation, and with it drying behaviour and oxidative stability. |
| Saponification valueMilligrams of potassium hydroxide per gram | Determined by ISO 3657. An identity figure. |
| Unsaponifiable matterMaximum percentage by mass | The fraction that is not fatty acid. Carries the sterols, tocopherols and the value in the cosmetic trade. |
| Refractive indexAt a stated temperature | A fast identity and adulteration check. |
| Soap contentMilligrams per kilogram | Applies to refined oil. Residue from neutralisation. |
| PhosphorusMilligrams per kilogram | The measure of residual gums. Governs whether the oil will behave in downstream processing. |
Composition and authenticity
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Oleic and linoleic acidPercentage of the fatty acid profile | The two dominant fatty acids, in a near balanced ratio. The first authenticity check. |
| Baudouin testPositive or negative, by the furfural method | The classical presence test for sesame oil. Still used, because it is fast and specific. |
| Fatty acid profilePercentage of each fatty acid by gas chromatography of the methyl esters | Determined by ISO 12966. The fingerprint of the oil and the first authenticity check. |
| Sterol compositionPercentage of each sterol and total sterol content | Determined by ISO 12228. Detects blending with a cheaper oil that shares a similar fatty acid profile. |
| Tocopherols and tocotrienolsMilligrams per kilogram, by HPLC | The natural antioxidant content. Governs shelf life and is a value term in cosmetics. |
| Triacylglycerol compositionBy HPLC, reported as the distribution | A second authenticity layer, because it is far harder to counterfeit than a fatty acid profile. |
Contaminants
10 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| SalmonellaAbsence in the stated sample mass | Sesame has a documented history of salmonella incidents at origin. Tested on the seed and on the cold pressed oil, not assumed. |
| Ethylene oxideMilligrams per kilogram | Several destination markets prohibit it outright on sesame. Tested where the market requires it. |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsMicrograms per kilogram, benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of four | Comes from direct fire drying and smoke contact at origin. Tested against destination market limits. |
| 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl estersMicrograms per kilogram | Formed at high refining temperatures. Applies to refined oil. |
| Mineral oil hydrocarbonsMilligrams per kilogram, MOSH and MOAH | Comes from lubricants, jute bags and transport. Tested where the destination market requires it. |
| Solvent residueMilligrams per kilogram of hexane | Applies to solvent extracted oil. |
| Pesticide residuesMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market maximum residue limits. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram | Lead, arsenic, cadmium, iron and copper. Iron and copper matter twice over, because they catalyse oxidation in the drum. |
| Dioxins and PCBsPicograms of toxic equivalent per gram of fat | Tested where the destination market requires it. |
| AflatoxinsMicrograms per kilogram | Applies where the oilseed or kernel carries a mould risk before pressing. |
Certification and packing claims
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| OrganicCertificate under the destination market scheme | EU, NOP, JAS or an equivalence arrangement. Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Fairtrade, Fair for Life or equivalentCertificate and transaction certificate | Named scheme, with the transaction certificate issued for the specific lot. |
| Kosher and HalalCertificate from the named authority | Certificate travels with the lot. |
| Food grade or cosmetic gradeDeclared, with the corresponding specification | Determines the applicable limits and the packing. |
| Non GMODeclaration, with PCR testing on the source material where required | Applies where the crop has a genetically modified counterpart. |
| Chain of custodyDocumented from harvest to press to drum | Evidenced at every transfer where the lot carries an origin or a community claim. |
| PackingDeclared: flexitank, ISO tank, drum, jerrycan or IBC, with liner and headspace treatment | Nitrogen blanketing and liner type are contract terms, because they decide what the peroxide value looks like on arrival, not on shipment. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| India | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| China | East Asia | Origin and destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Origin and destination |
| South Korea | East Asia | Origin and destination |
| Taiwan | East Asia | Destination |
| Myanmar | Southeast Asia | Origin |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Vietnam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Sudan | Africa | Origin |
| Ethiopia | Africa | Origin |
| Nigeria | Africa | Origin |
| Tanzania | Africa | Origin |
| Mozambique | Africa | Origin |
| Uganda | Africa | Origin |
| Burkina Faso | Africa | Origin |
| Mali | Africa | Origin |
| Chad | Africa | Origin |
| Somalia | Africa | Origin |
| Egypt | Africa | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Israel | Middle East | Destination |
| Lebanon | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Jordan | Middle East | Destination |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Greece | Europe | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Origin and destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| Poland | Europe | Destination |
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| Mexico | North America | Destination |
| Guatemala | North America | Origin |
| Paraguay | South America | Origin |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Destination |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudan | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Dec, arrival Dec to MarGedaref, Blue Nile and Kordofan. A leading export origin, principally white and mixed seed. | ||||||
| India | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Nov, arrival Apr to JanGujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Kharif and summer crops give two windows. | |||
| Myanmar | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Dec, arrival Dec to FebCentral dry zone and Magway. A major origin for black and brown seed. | |||||||
| Nigeria | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Dec, arrival Dec to MarBenue, Nasarawa and Jigawa. | ||||||
| Ethiopia | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Dec, arrival Dec to MarHumera and Metema. The Humera type is a benchmark white seed. | ||||||
| Tanzania | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Aug, arrival Aug to OctLindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma. | |||||||
| Mozambique | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest May to Jul, arrival Jul to SepNampula and Zambezia. | |||||||
| China | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Sep to DecHenan, Hubei and Anhui. A large producer and the largest single consumer of toasted oil. | |||||||
| Burkina Faso | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Dec, arrival Dec to MarBoucle du Mouhoun and Hauts Bassins. | ||||||
| Paraguay | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Apr, arrival Apr to JunConcepcion and San Pedro. A southern hemisphere crop, so it lands off the northern cycle. | |||||||
| Guatemala | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest Nov to Jan, arrival Jan to MarPacific coastal departments. Known for a high grade white seed. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for sesame oil. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading1515.50 Sesame oil and its fractions
- PackingFlexitanks of 20 t to 24 t, IBCs of 1000 litres, or 190 kg lacquer lined steel drums. Butters and solid fats in 25 kg cartons or 200 kg drums. Nitrogen blanket for oils that oxidise.
- Container loading20ft: one flexitank at 20 t to 24 t, or 80 drums at roughly 15 t. Heated stow or heating coils where the fat solidifies below deck temperature.
- Contract and arbitrationFOSFA contracts with FOSFA arbitration in London, or NIOP trading rules for United States trade. Free fatty acid, moisture and impurities, peroxide value and colour are the operative quality clauses, established on FOSFA analysis methods.
- Destination limitsEU limits on 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in refined oils and erucic acid limits under Regulation 2023/915, pesticide MRLs under Regulation 396/2005, and novel food authorisation under Regulation 2015/2283 for oils without a pre-1997 EU history of consumption. US FDA food additive and GRAS status applies.
Common questions
What grades of sesame oil does SIP Global trade?
We quote 50 published grades of sesame oil, including Light, raw pressed - Pressed from unroasted seed, Toasted, dark - Pressed from roasted seed, with the roast level declared, Roast level - Declared: light, medium or dark, against a sealed reference sample, Cold pressed - Mechanically pressed with the press outlet held below a stated temperature, Expeller pressed - Mechanically pressed without a declared temperature ceiling and Solvent extracted - Hexane extraction of the seed or of the press cake. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is sesame oil graded?
Sesame oil is graded on whether the seed was roasted before pressing, on the pressing route, on the seed colour and hulling state, and on the lignan figures that confirm the oil is sesame and confirm how it was made. Grading runs on 5 systems: Processing route and form, Quality and condition, Composition and authenticity, Contaminants and Certification and packing claims.
Where does SIP Global trade sesame oil?
We trade sesame oil in India, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam and 32 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is sesame oil harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Sudan: harvest oct to dec, arrival dec to mar; India: harvest feb to nov, arrival apr to jan; Myanmar: harvest oct to dec, arrival dec to feb; Nigeria: harvest oct to dec, arrival dec to mar; Ethiopia: harvest oct to dec, arrival dec to mar. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for sesame oil?
Sesame oil is normally classified under HS 1515.50 (sesame oil and its fractions). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for sesame oil?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed sesame oil market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- Codex AlimentariusFAO and WHO food standards
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.