By Zafar Hussain

BEIJING, Aug. 26 (China Economic Net) — Pakistan's sesame seed exports to China experienced good growth in the first seven months of 2026, surpassing the $100 million threshold as bilateral agricultural trade continues to gain robust momentum under expanding market demand.

According to the latest trade statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Pakistan exported 103,340 metric tons of sesame seeds (HS Code 12074090) to China from January to July 2026, generating a total value of $105.29 million. This performance reflects a dramatic 110.8% surge in volume and a 72.2% increase in export value compared to the same period in 2025, when shipments totaled 49,031 metric tons valued at $61.13 million.

Sharing his industry insights, Gopal Khamuani, Chairman of Kanwal Trading Company, highlighted that China firmly maintains its standing as the foremost destination for Pakistani sesame seeds. During the 2025–2026 crop year (August 2025–July 2026), Pakistan harvested approximately 310,000 metric tons of sesame seeds, of which nearly 95% was channeled into international cross-border trade.

"Even with substantial inventory levels at Chinese ports, China imported approximately 58% of Pakistan's total sesame exports during the 2025–2026 crop season," Khamuani stated. He noted that while localized weather disruptions in parts of Sindh and Punjab initially subdued harvest demand, export shipments to China rebounded sharply between January and July 2026.

Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 crop year, Khamuani expressed strong optimism, projecting Pakistan's total sesame production to rise to roughly 360,000 metric tons (±5%). Favorable, well-timed weather throughout the growing cycle has boosted average yields to 370–400 kg per acre, up from around 320 kg per acre recorded in the previous season. Although total cultivated area declined by roughly 15%, the higher productivity has effectively compensated for the reduced acreage.

Khamuani emphasized that Pakistan plays a pivotal role in the international marketplace because its harvest arrives early in August and September. With hulled sesame exports now accounting for around 15% of total shipments, he underscored significant room for further growth through value-added processing for Chinese consumers.