Europe Sesame Seeds Market: Market Size & Forecast 2026

The Europe sesame seeds market encompasses the trade, processing, and distribution of sesame seeds across the white, black, and other-variety segments for use in food manufacturing, retail, and food-service channels. The market reached an estimated value of USD 521.8 million in 2025, reflecting its established role as a staple ingredient in European food products ranging from tahini and halva to confectionery, baked goods, and snack bars.

• •Market valued at approximately USD 521.8 million in 2025
• •Segmented by product type: White, Black, and Others
• •Applications span tahini, confectionery, bakery, oil production, and snacks

Rising health consciousness among European consumers is a primary catalyst, as sesame seeds are recognized for their high calcium content, healthy fats, and plant-based protein, aligning with growing demand for nutritious and functional foods. Expansion of the food processing and ready-to-eat sectors has further increased industrial demand for sesame as an ingredient. In addition, increasing imports of higher-grade seeds and expanding exposure to ethnic and Mediterranean cuisines are broadening market reach.

• •Growing consumer preference for plant-based and nutrient-dense ingredients
• •Food manufacturers increasingly using sesame in confectionery, bakery, and snack products
• •Rising imports of high-quality seeds to meet evolving quality and food-safety standards

The market is divided into white sesame, black sesame, and other varieties, with white sesame commanding the larger share due to its dominant use in tahini, confectionery, and general food applications. Black sesame occupies a premium and specialty segment, often associated with health foods and Asian-inspired products. Regionally, Greece holds the highest per-capita sesame consumption in Europe, supported by deeply rooted culinary traditions; other significant markets include Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, where imports drive domestic supply.

• •White sesame dominates, widely used in tahini, bakery, and confectionery
• •Black sesame targets premium and health-focused specialty segments
• •Greece leads per-capita consumption; major demand also in Germany, France, UK, and Netherlands

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The market is expected to sustain its 5.2% CAGR trajectory through the early 2030s, supported by continued growth in plant-based nutrition, clean-label product trends, and the global popularity of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Import dependency on non-European origins remains a defining structural feature, making trade policies, crop yields in supplying countries, and food-safety certification standards important influences on pricing and availability. Product innovation in ready-to-eat snacks, spreads, and health-oriented packaged foods is likely to further drive sesame demand across the region.

• •Growth projected to continue at 5.2% CAGR through the early 2030s
• •Plant-based nutrition and clean-label trends supporting sustained demand
• •Import dependency and source-origin crop performance will shape market dynamics