Nigerian Sesame Seeds Suppliers: Complete Import Guide 2025
Nigeria exported $202.94 million worth of sesame seeds in 2024, making it a leading global supplier to China, Japan, and Turkey. However, quality switching and origin fraud cost importers millions while threatening long-term supplier relationships.
Why Nigerian Sesame Seeds Lead Global Markets
Nigeria’s Middle Belt region produces exceptional sesame seeds with superior oil content, distinctive flavor profiles, and consistent quality that meets international standards. The country’s two distinct growing seasons ensure year-round supply to global markets.
Nigeria’s Sesame Excellence:
- Export Value: $202.94 million in 2024
- Oil Content: 48-55% (among world’s highest)
- Major Buyers: China (60%), Japan (15%), Turkey (10%)
- Varieties: White sesame, mixed sesame, black sesame
Key Quality Advantages:
- High oil content ideal for tahini and oil extraction
- Low moisture content for extended shelf life
- Minimal foreign matter due to modern cleaning processes
- Consistent sizing for food processing applications
However, the lucrative sesame market attracts sophisticated fraudsters who mix inferior grades, misrepresent origins, and falsify quality certificates. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s specialized verification ensures you receive authentic Nigerian sesame seeds while avoiding costly quality fraud.
Nigerian Sesame Varieties and Quality Grades
White Sesame Seeds (Premium Grade)
- Purity: Minimum 99%
- Oil content: 48-52%
- Moisture: Maximum 6%
- Best for: Food processing, tahini production, bakery
Mixed Sesame Seeds (Commercial Grade)
- Purity: Minimum 98%
- Oil content: 45-50%
- Moisture: Maximum 7%
- Best for: Oil extraction, industrial processing
Black Sesame Seeds (Specialty Grade)
- Purity: Minimum 99%
- Oil content: 50-55%
- Moisture: Maximum 6%
- Best for: Asian cuisine, health food markets
Fraudulent suppliers frequently mix grades to increase volumes or misrepresent moisture content to hide quality degradation. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s laboratory testing and facility verification confirms exact grade specifications and proper storage conditions before shipment.
Major Producing States (And Fraud Hotspots)
Benue State – Nigeria’s Sesame Capital
- 45% of national production
- Highest quality seeds with superior oil content
- Fraud Risk: High – Many fake suppliers claim Benue sourcing
Nasarawa State
- 25% of production
- Excellent white sesame varieties
- Fraud Risk: Medium – Growing commercial interest attracts scammers
Plateau State
- 15% of production
- Premium black sesame varieties
- Fraud Risk: High – Remote locations enable deception
Origin claims are easily fabricated with stolen farm photos and fake GPS coordinates. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s field specialists physically verify collection centers, processing facilities, and actual sesame quality in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
The $25 Million Sesame Fraud Problem
Common Quality Fraud Tactics
- Grade Mixing – Blend premium with lower grades
- Moisture Manipulation – Add water to increase weight
- Foreign Matter Addition – Mix with similar-looking seeds
- Origin Misrepresentation – Import cheap sesame, re-export as Nigerian
Real Fraud Case Examples
- Turkish Importer: Lost $125K to supplier who mixed 40% inferior seeds with premium grade
- Chinese Processor: Received 15 tons with 12% moisture instead of contracted 6%
- Japanese Food Company: Lost $95K to fake Benue supplier operating from Lagos warehouse
The Quality Deception: Modern sesame fraud involves sophisticated blending that appears acceptable until processing, when oil content and flavor profiles fail to meet specifications.
Visual inspection cannot detect moisture manipulation or precise oil content variations that affect processing yields. Only Kiwi Procurement Limited’s comprehensive testing and supply chain verification can protect you from devastating quality losses and processing failures.
Export Documentation and Quality Control
Required Export Documents
- Phytosanitary certificate (NAQS)
- Export permit from Federal Ministry of Agriculture
- Certificate of Origin (NACCIMA)
- Quality analysis certificate
- Fumigation certificate (if required)
Critical Red Flags
- ❌ Inconsistent Pricing – Prices varying significantly from market rates
- ❌ No Quality Testing – Cannot provide oil content analysis
- ❌ Vague Farm Locations – Cannot specify exact growing regions
- ❌ Immediate Large Quantities – Claims unlimited stock availability
- ❌ No Processing Records – Cannot show cleaning and storage methods
Quality certificates are frequently forged with false oil content and moisture readings to hide inferior grades. Kiwi Procurement Limited conducts independent laboratory testing and verifies all documentation with Nigerian authorities to ensure authenticity.
International Quality Standards and Testing
Key Quality Parameters
- Oil Content: Minimum 48% (white), 50% (black)
- Moisture Content: Maximum 6-7%
- Foreign Matter: Maximum 1%
- Damaged Seeds: Maximum 2%
Import Requirements by Destination
- China: Strict pesticide residue limits, fumigation requirements
- Japan: Detailed traceability, aflatoxin testing
- Turkey: EU-compliant quality standards
- Middle East: Halal certification for food applications
Import regulations vary significantly by destination, and documentation fraud can cause costly delays or rejections at ports. Kiwi Procurement Limited ensures all quality parameters meet destination requirements and verifies authentic documentation before shipment.
Why Professional Verification is Critical
What Standard Checks Miss
- Precise oil content variations affecting processing yields
- Hidden moisture that causes spoilage during transport
- Gradual quality mixing throughout large shipments
- Storage condition impacts on seed viability
Kiwi Procurement Limited’s Verification Process
- ✅ Farm and collection center inspection in producing states
- ✅ Processing facility verification including cleaning and storage
- ✅ Laboratory testing for oil content, moisture, and purity
- ✅ Supply chain tracking from farm to export facility
- ✅ Documentation validation with Nigerian authorities
The cost of receiving inferior sesame seeds far exceeds verification investment, especially for processing operations. Kiwi Procurement Limited’s current offer: Pay $300 (40% off $500) and receive 3 additional verification vouchers with 20% off each future service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I verify Nigerian sesame seed quality before importing?
A: Nigerian sesame quality requires comprehensive laboratory testing for oil content, moisture levels, and purity that most importers cannot perform independently. At Kiwi Procurement Limited, we conduct on-ground verification in Nigeria’s producing states with independent testing to confirm grade specifications.
Q: What’s the difference between Nigerian white and black sesame seeds?
A: White sesame seeds are more common with 48-52% oil content, ideal for food processing. Black sesame contains 50-55% oil with distinct flavor, commanding premium prices in Asian markets. We verify actual varieties and oil content through laboratory testing.
Q: How do I avoid moisture-damaged sesame from Nigeria?
A: Moisture damage occurs during poor storage or deliberate water addition to increase weight. Our verification includes storage facility inspection and independent moisture testing to ensure seeds meet your specifications and transport requirements.
Q: Which Nigerian states produce the highest quality sesame?
A: Benue State produces 45% of Nigeria’s premium sesame with highest oil content. Nasarawa and Plateau states also produce excellent varieties. Our specialists verify actual sourcing locations and quality standards in these regions to ensure authentic procurement.
Q: What documents are needed to import sesame from Nigeria?
A: Essential documents include phytosanitary certificate, export permit, certificate of origin, and quality analysis certificate. We verify all documentation authenticity with Nigerian authorities and ensure compliance with destination country requirements.
⚠️ Don’t Risk Your Processing Operations on Unverified Sesame
Limited Time Offer: $300 (40% Off Regular $500 Price)
PLUS: Get 3 Verification Vouchers (20% Off Future Services)
Limited Time Offer
- ✅ Complete supplier verification for just $300 (save $200)
- ✅ 3 bonus vouchers for 20% off future verifications
- ✅ Laboratory testing for oil content and moisture verification
- ✅ Farm and processing facility inspection in producing states
- ✅ 3-5 day report delivery with expert recommendations
- ✅ Professional supplier intelligence reports
Limited availability
Contact us immediately: info@procurewithkiwi.com | We respond within 2 hours
Remember: The cost of verification is always less than the cost of inferior sesame seeds. Protect your processing operations and supplier relationships today.