Nigeria is one of the world's top producers of sesame seeds, prized internationally for their high oil content, uniform white colour and clean, nutty flavour. Whether you're sourcing for tahini, bakery, oil extraction or confectionery, this buyer's checklist will help you specify the right grade and protect your supply contract.
Nigeria's Sesame Advantage
Nigerian sesame is grown primarily in the Middle Belt and Northern regions, where the dry climate and rich soil produce seeds with oil content consistently above 48%. The country exports both raw and hulled sesame, with white sesame being the dominant grade.
Types & Grades
The most common commercial grades:
- White 98/2/2: 98% purity, 2% admixture, 2% moisture — the global benchmark for export quality
- White 99/1/1: Premium specification for high-end buyers
- Mixed sesame: Multi-coloured, used for oil extraction
- Hulled sesame: Dehulled seeds for bakery and tahini
The Buyer's Checklist
Verify each of these before signing a supply contract:
- Colour: uniform creamy white (not yellowish or mixed)
- Purity: ≥ 98% for standard, ≥ 99% for premium
- Moisture: ≤ 6% (higher moisture risks mould)
- Oil content: ≥ 48%
- FFA: ≤ 2%
- Foreign matter: ≤ 2%
- Damaged / immature seeds: ≤ 2%
Oil Content & Applications
Nigerian white sesame typically delivers 48–52% oil, making it highly attractive to oil millers. Common applications include:
- Tahini and halva production
- Bakery (burger buns, bread toppings)
- Confectionery and snacks
- Sesame oil extraction
- Cosmetic and massage oils
Packaging & Shipping
Standard packaging options:
- 50 kg polypropylene bags
- 25 kg paper or PP bags (for hulled sesame)
- 1 MT jumbo bags (for bulk oil-mill orders)
Typical container loading: 25 MT per 20 ft FCL, 27 MT per 40 ft FCL.
Red Flags to Watch
- Unclear origin or no traceability documentation
- No pre-shipment sample or independent quality report
- Unrealistically low pricing
- Vague Incoterms or refusal to sign a formal contract
- Pressure to pay 100% upfront by wire transfer
Request a Quotation
DCCNL Nigeria Limited supplies white sesame seeds in 98/2/2 and custom grades to buyers worldwide. Contact us for specifications, samples and pricing.