The Sunday Mail
Trade Focus
Allan Majuru
THE Second Republic’s economic and transactional diplomacy drive has accelerated the unlocking of new markets for Zimbabwean products across the world.
New markets for Zimbabwe-made products in Africa and beyond are warming up to the goods, on account of their superior quality and efforts by Government, and related institutions such as the national trade promotion agency — ZimTrade — to market local products.
Given this renewed marketing drive, it is important for local businesses to maximise production.
For example, the agriculture sector offers plenty of export products, riding on the country’s favourable climatic conditions, which are suitable for the production of different crops across all the provinces.
Sesame seed is one crop that is emerging as a promising export product for local businesses, including smallholder farmers
One crop that is emerging as a promising export product for local businesses, including smallholder farmers, is sesame seed.
Global demand for sesame seed has been rising over the years. The crop is gaining momentum as a health-enhancing food, which is used in many dishes.
In addition to its unique and increasingly popular flavour, sesame seed is also widely used in the production of dietary supplements, oils, confectionaries, pastes and health snacks.
The diverse uses of sesame seed — which include direct consumption as food and as an ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products — makes it a high-value product in regional and international markets.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the growing world’s population, changing consumption patterns and health awareness among consumers are partly behind the boom in the demand for sesame seed.
Countries where sesame seed is an integral part of national cuisines have reported increased imports of the product.
Global sesame seed production is forecast to reach 9,26 million tonnes by 2040, up from 5,53 million tonnes in 2017.
Demand for sesame seed in China is expected to reach 2,56 million tonnes in 2040, up from 1,3 million tonnes in 2016.
This growth is an indication of a sustainable market Zimbabwean producers can tap into.
Data from Trade Map shows that global trade in sesame seed grew from US$3 billion in 2018 to US$3,57 billion in 2021.
Leading importers in 2021 were China (US$1,54 billion), Turkey (US$285 million), Japan (US$213 million), Korea (US$152 million) and Iran (US$102 million).
Zimbabwe already enjoys good trading relations with China, with the coming in of the citrus protocol expected to open new avenues for export of more agricultural produce to the east Asian economic giant.
Direct links being created for citrus exports into China can be used to introduce sesame seeds into that market.
Additionally, the Second Republic plans to open new diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Persia, providing additional markets for locally produced sesame seed.
Writing for this publication last week, President Mnangagwa announced plans to open diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, and his impending State visit to Iran.
The visit and opening of the new mission will help galvanise business links between the respective countries.
With Iran among the top sesame seed importers in the world, local companies must leverage on ties between Harare and Tehran to unlock market access.
Regional demand for sesame seed is also on the rise.ZimTrade has received supply inquiries for the crop from buyers in Malawi, who are looking for substantial quantities of the processed and polished product.
There are also inquiries from Mozambique, which is one of the top importers in Africa.
Further opportunities abound in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and South Africa, which are among the leading importers on the continent.
Growing production for exports
While sesame seed production in Zimbabwe has been depressed over the last three years, the situation is gradually improving as more communities are integrating into mainstream production.
The country’s development cooperation partners have been supporting production of the crop by small-scale farmers as an alternative cash crop.
This will improve exports.
Sesame is adaptable to many types of soils. However, it performs better in well-drained soils, and is usually produced in upland plains.
This adaptability means it can be grown across all the provinces in Zimbabwe, meaning farmers in dry areas can also produce the crop for export markets.
According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Centre, sesame yields in test plots average 454-680 kilogrammes per acre.
However, as much as 1 050kg per acre have been produced in irrigated fields.
Production costs per acre are modest, and almost comparable to the cost of producing soya beans or sorghum.
Fertiliser costs are primarily for nitrogen, which can be met through organic sources.
Harvest costs are similar to other grains.
Transportation to markets can, however, prove to be an extra expense since delivery points may be a considerable distance from the grower.
With regard to seed requirement, a guide for the production of sesame seeds in Nigeria prepared by the Standards and Trade Development Facility indicates that farmers require 3-5kg/hectare in furrow sowing, and 8kg/hectare in broadcasting.
A closer row spacing will apply to irrigated or high rainfall areas. Wider spacing is recommended for dry areas.
Fertiliser requirements for sesame will depend on the fertility of the soil, which will, in turn, vary with soil type and previous land use.
Currently, there is apprehension among Zimbabwean farmers to produce the crop largely due to the lack of knowledge on the farming methods, benefits and potential markets.
Increased awareness among consumers on the benefits of sesame seed and support to farmers on production and marketing will enable the more than 1 200 small-scale growers currently producing sesame seed to increase output.
The Government needs to consider improving policies and offer incentives to encourage producers and exporters to invest in the production and export of value-added goods. As production increases, it is important to link farmers with markets so that they have ready off-takers once the crop is harvested.
Farmers must work closely with ZimTrade, which can provide market insights and link them with potential buyers within the region and beyond.
Allan Majuru is the ZimTrade chief executive officer
