More than 20,875 tons of sesame worth over $30 million were imported into Iran during the first four months of the current Iranian year (March 21-July 22), latest data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration show.
The biggest exporter of the oilseed to Iran over the period was Pakistan with 10,751 tons worth over $15.37 million, followed by India with nearly 3,620 tons worth $5.63 million, ISNA reported.
Pakistan and India jointly accounted for more than 68% of Iran’s sesame imports.
Sesame seeds are used to extract vegetable oil in Iran. Of all the vegetable oils consumed in Iran, 95% are extracted from soybean, sunflower and palm.
Per capita vegetable oil consumption in Iran is about 18-19 kilograms a year while the global average is 12 kilograms.
