India is the 2nd largest producer of Sesame Seed in the world with an normal average crop of about 540 Thousand Tons (0.54 million tons).The total area under cultivation for Sesame in India is about 1650 Thousand hectare overall.

Gujarat 180 -200 Thousand Tons Rajasthan 70 - 80 Thousand Tons Uttar Pradesh 60 - 70 Thousand Tons Madhya Pradesh 50 - 60 Thousand Tons Maharastra 30 - 40 Thousand Tons Others 80 - 90 Thousand Tons

These are the 5 states producing about 80% of the total production from India. Other states produce mainly reddish/brown sesame used primarily for crushing purpose.

The sowing season begins in May-June and harvesting period is September/October. Farming in India especially in the areas where sesame is grown is totally dependent of rains with little or no irrigation facility hence a good or bad monsoon can have drastic impact on the crop quantity and quality. Sesame does not require much water but
sizeable rains at the time of sowing and subsequently moderate shower periodically through the cultivation period are a must. Rains during harvest can severely damage the crop quality.

Local demand for top quality i.e. 99/1, 98/2 and Premium Quality Hulled is negligible in India and is restricted to the winter months only. However a sizeable quantity is used for crushing for oil extraction.

Gujarat seeds are known to be of bigger size and bolder in appearance with Rajasthan and Maharastra having comparable sizes. Other origins are mostly smaller in size.

USA, Holland, Germany, Greece, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Middle Eastern countries have traditionally been regular and bigger importers from India. However with changing trends over the past few years China has turned itself as a net consumer from an exporting country till recent past and has been buying from India when its crop is below
normal. This means that India is now the largest sesame exporting country in the world and is feeding a major percentage of world sesame demand.