Sesame is making its way into Mato Grosso and gaining ground in the second harvest
The state accounts for more than 60% of national production and is expanding its area and productivity through technological advancements and genetic improvement. Sesame cultivation is experiencing a period of strong expansion in Mato Grosso. In the last five years, the area dedicated to the crop in the state has grown by 250%, according to data from the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea) . This growth positions the oilseed as an increasingly strategic alternative for producers in the second crop season.Mato Grosso is currently the largest producer of sesame in Brazil, accounting for more than 60% of national production. In the 2024/25 harvest, the state produced 288,900 tons, a 17.3% increase compared to the previous cycle. Productivity also improved, from 579.06 kilograms per hectare to 720.09 kilograms per hectare during the period. Increased yields are related to improvements in management practices, the use of technologies, and the genetic improvement of seeds. According to agricultural engineer Murilo Sampaio, breeding programs have broadened their focus beyond just productive potential."Nowadays, breeding programs are very focused on productivity, but we also have issues of plant health, and we also have issues of seed population. With a smaller stand, you can achieve higher productivity within each cultivar," he explains. Crops gain ground after soy. The short cycle, of approximately 90 days, favors the use of sesame as an alternative in the agricultural calendar of Mato Grosso. The ideal planting window is considered to be from February 10th to March 15th, a period with rainfall more favorable to the crop.The average reported cost for cultivation is R$ 1,600 per hectare, while the yield can reach 1,600 kilograms per hectare. The market may pay up to R$ 4 per kilogram for the grain.This crop also appears as an option for areas where the producer is unable to complete the corn planting within the window considered suitable. “Today, sesame is planted practically at the end of the corn planting season. Where the producer can't finish their planting window, sesame is a great option in terms of profitability. The product will yield much more per hectare, and you will achieve excellent profitability for your crop at a low cost,” says Sampaio.External market supports expansion.Production growth is occurring in a market where external demand plays a central role. Domestic consumption of sesame in Brazil is still small, and most of Mato Grosso's production is destined for export.China is the main destination, accounting for about 40% of Mato Grosso's sesame production. India follows, with a share between 25% and 30%, and Turkey.According to agricultural engineer Leandro Lodea, these three countries concentrate the main markets for sesame produced in the state. "Today, sesame from Mato Grosso has three main destinations: China in first place, around 40%; then comes India, around 25% to 30%; and then we see Turkey in third place. These are the three main destinations for our sesame," he states.With the increase in cultivated area, productivity gains, and advances in production technologies, sesame is expanding its space within the Mato Grosso agricultural system and consolidating itself as an alternative to diversify the second crop.
Source: https://www.canalrural.com.br/agricultura/gergelim-avanca-em-mato-grosso-e-ganha-espaco-na-segunda-safra/