Sesame Prices Drop in Pune as Makar Sankranti Nears, Bringing Sweet Relief to Punekars
Pune, 7th January 2025: Makar Sankranti and Tilgul (an Indian sweet made from jaggery and sesame seeds, often coated with sesame seeds) are considered inseparable. The demand for sesame peaks during this period. This year, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14th January. With the festival less than a week away, sesame prices have dropped due to ample supply, making Makar Sankranti sweeter for Punekars.
During the Makar Sankranti period, 15-20 tons of sesame are imported into Pune daily, compared to just 5-7 tons during other times. Sesame is imported from across Maharashtra and other states including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. These areas experienced a hit in sesame production during the rainy season, with only 50% of the sesame being of good quality.
Globally, Africa and Brazil produce sesame in good quantities, and it is imported to India for processing. Despite the production setback in India, significant imports were made. Surprisingly, due to these imports, the price has decreased instead of increasing.
Ajit Bora, a sesame trader in Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard of Pune, has stated that summer sesame will arrive in April and May. Until then, some increase in sesame prices can be expected.
