About Sesame
Sesame (til, gingelly) is a high-value oilseed. India is among the largest exporters of sesame seed, and gingelly oil is the traditional cooking oil of Tamil Nadu.
Where Sesame Is Grown in Tamil Nadu
The main sesame districts of Tamil Nadu are Erode, Thanjavur, Karur, Pudukkottai. Tamil Nadu leads India in banana and is a top producer of coconut, turmeric, jasmine, tapioca, urad and groundnut. Its Cauvery delta grows rice, its western districts coconut and turmeric, Krishnagiri mango, and Madurai and Hosur its famous flowers.
Season in Tamil Nadu
Kharif in most states; summer crop in Gujarat and West Bengal. Exact arrival dates in Tamil Nadu depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Sesame Is Sold in Tamil Nadu
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Uzhavar Sandhai (farmers' markets) allow direct sales to consumers.
Other major markets in Tamil Nadu
- Koyambedu, ChennaiFruits, vegetables, flowersAboutExplore
- ErodeTurmericAboutExplore
- Mattuthavani, MaduraiJasmineAboutExplore
- Pollachi and KangeyamCoconut, copraAboutExplore
- TheniBananaAboutExplore
- KrishnagiriMangoAboutExplore
Government Buying in Tamil Nadu
MSP announced. In Tamil Nadu, buying is organised through the agencies below, usually at procurement centres in or near the mandis during the harvest window. Farmers register in advance, and payment is made to their bank accounts.
- Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC)Paddy procurementAboutExplore
- Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Natural sesame is graded by purity (99/1, 98/2 and so on), colour and free fatty acid content; hulled sesame by whiteness and purity (often 99.95 per cent). Export lots are tested for salmonella and pesticide residues, and must be steam-sterilised for many buyers.
Indian sesame prices follow the size of the Gujarat and West Bengal crops, competition from African suppliers such as Sudan and Nigeria, and demand from China, Korea, Japan and the Middle East. Rain damage at harvest causes discoloured seed and lower prices.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export sesame across India, including from Tamil Nadu. Tap a name for details.
- Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA)Mumbai · edible oil and oilmeal industry body; publishes import and export dataAboutExplore
- Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)Export promotion for groundnut, sesame and other oilseedsAboutExplore
- National Mission on Edible Oils – OilseedsGovernment mission to raise oilseed output and cut importsAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Tamil Nadu
New varieties, crop advice and seed for sesame growers in Tamil Nadu come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
Sesame in Other States
West Bengal · Gujarat · Rajasthan · Madhya Pradesh · Uttar Pradesh · Odisha
Related: Sesame – all India · Tamil Nadu · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer