Editing Sesame (section)

=== Trade ===

Japan is the world's largest sesame importer. Sesame oil, particularly from roasted seed, is an important component of [[Japanese cuisine |Japanese cooking]] and traditionally the principal use of the seed. China is the second-largest importer of sesame, mostly oil-grade. China exports lower-priced food-grade sesame seeds, particularly to [[Southeast Asia]]. Other major importers are the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey, and France.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan Sesame Oil Market |url=https://www.industryarc.com/Research/japan-sesame-oil-market-report-700629 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=IndustryARC}}</ref>

Sesame seed is a high-value [[cash crop]]. Prices ranged between US${{convert |800 and 1700 |/t}} between 2008 and 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oil seed prices and futures |publisher=Commodity Prices |date=July 2010 |url=http://www.agricommodityprices.com/futures_prices.php?id=144 |access-date=2012-03-19 |archive-date=2020-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807025551/http://www.agricommodityprices.com/futures_prices.php?id=144 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sesame |first=Mal |last=Bennett |publisher=Ag Market Research Center |url=http://www.agmrc.org/media/cms/sesame_38F4324EE52CB.pdf}}</ref> Prices depend on perceived quality, based on factors such as the seed's appearance, freedom from impurities, oil content of at least 40%, and sorting by size and colour.<ref name=rhan />