By Ethiopia Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, Export Promotion and Market Facilitation– Ethiopia is one of the centers of biodiversity for several oilseeds which can be considered as specialty high value seeds on the international market.
Among the oil crops of Ethiopia, sesame seed commands the leading position which makes the nation one of the top-five producers of sesame seeds in the world. Ethiopian sesame source comes from two initial places. These are: Humera and Wollega. Humera sesame type, named for the variety grown in the district of northern Ethiopia, has been growing in global popularity.
It is a whitish color with a good demand in the global market and known for top quality as well as it is used as a reference for grading sesame in the international market. It is highly needed because it has 48- 50% oil content, sweet taste, white color, and good-looking fragrance. It accounts 77% of Ethiopia’s total sesame production.
The next type of sesame is the Wollega sesame (also named for the region where it originated in Ethiopia).Wollega type sesame is the second widely grown sesame. It is brownish in color and highly required for its 52% oil content. It accounts for 23% of Ethiopian total sesame production.