Late artist Netsanet Workineh family

The family speaks for the first time after the artist passes suddenly.

International buyers are reportedly reducing their interest in Ethiopian sesame due to price.

It is reported that West African countries and Brazil are offering sesame to the world market at lower prices than Ethiopia, so buyers are reportedly shifting their interest to them.

It is reported that the price at which sesame is purchased from local producers is high, which is affecting international trade.

We have heard from the Ethiopian Cereals, Oilseeds and Spices Exporters Association that sesame purchased from producers at high prices cannot be sold competitively in the world market.

The association’s president, Ato Edao Abdi, said that new sesame producing countries like Brazil are taking advantage of the opportunity.

They are selling sesame at a price starting from $950 per metric ton, which we sell at $1,300 per metric ton.

Ato Edao, who recalled that the price at which coffee was purchased from producers had increased in the past, mentioned that the situation had improved due to government intervention.

He said that a similar government decision is also needed for sesame.

It is often said that farmers are not getting the right price for their various products; the consumer is the middleman and something else.

Now, if sesame producers accidentally get a better price, how fair would it be for the government to intervene and reduce the price they sell? We asked Ato Edao.

Another issue related to sesame is the security problem in some areas where it is produced.

It has been said until recently that the security problem is the reason why the product is not available in the market on time, especially in areas such as Humera and known for sesame.

The president of the association replied to us whether this security problem has improved now.

The Ministry of Agriculture reported that more than 1 million 222 thousand hectares of land were planted with sesame in the 2017/18 crop season.

The data also indicated that more than half of the area had been harvested by November.