This week, we will be looking at an interesting and viable export product called sesame seed oil. This special oil has quality and economic potential for those that can afford the processing plant. Unlike other commodities, this oil holds so much because of its importance and international significance.

You are welcome to this special oil produced from beniseed, which has been found to be medicinal and used locally in preparation of soup. We shall examine the prospect of Beniseed oil export and what it can offer a country like Nigeria that is endowed with large production.

It is important to note that adding value to enhance export products is good for the country and the exporters. The number of exporters of beniseed oil in Nigeria is just not encouraging considering the volume of demand for this commodity in the international market.

Lack of adequate information or ignorance on the demand of beniseed oil in the international market could be responsible for the few processing companies in Nigeria. The product is unique and special for those who wants to make good money, either locally or in the international market. Oil content of the seed is between 50- 59 percent. It is ideal as a vegetable oil but contains (43 percent oleic and 43 percent linoleic acid.). For those who want to take advantage of this awareness on the importance of processing Beniseed oil for export, here is a step by step guide for making money from the product.

Benniseed (sesame, sesamum indicum L.) is an oil seed of international importance. The seed was an export crops of Nigeria up till the 1970s. It is called "sesame" internationally, while it is called "benniseed" in West Africa; "simsim" in East Africa and "Till" in India. The other names are "gingelly", or "benni."

The plant is an annual herbaceous mucilaginous erect plant which belongs to the family of Pedeliaceae characterised by well-shaped flowers height of 0.6 to 0.8m. The fruits are dehiscent axial capsules about 3 to 4cm long, containing 4 segments with each segment housing 20 to 25 small seeds. However, this article is not about the seed, but the oil and without describing the seed our audience may find it difficult to understand the source of the raw material.

Benniseed has about 50 to 59 per cent of valuable high grade stable oil with this specialty oil often referred to as the "Queen of oils." The oil is used as a substitute for olive oil in cooking and in medicine. The oil possesses a unique and special property as semi- drying oil. This special and unique property confers on beniseed oil its suitability for use in resin production. Nutritionist insists beniseed oil is an ideal vegetable oil because of its free cholesterol level and high polyunsaturated fatty acid content (about 43 percent oleic and 43 percent linoleic acid).

Beside the high oil content, it is found to be a veritable source of protein. In addition, after processing Beniseed into oil, the by-product which is cake has been found to contain high protein level close to that of soybeans. In other words, you have two exportable products from processing raw beniseed, which makes an economic sense for return on investment. It is relatively alright for medium scale investment, as the export market is there for those who understand what quality is all about.

The seed is utilised for the production of high quality, odourless oil. The oil is used in the manufacture of compound cooking fats, margarine and salad oils. It is also used as a fixture in the perfumery industry, in various cosmetics as a carrier for fat soluble substance, in pharmaceutical such as penicillin and in insecticides. The oil cake can be used as poultry and livestock feed and as fertilizer. The cake contains about 35 per cent protein. In Israel, it is used to prepare full meals. Locally in Nigeria within the areas of production, local meals of porridge etc. are common. It has been shown that sesame seed can grow well virtually all states in Nigeria.

An estimated 70 per cent of world production of Beniseed seed is processed into oil and meal. The food industry is the principal market segment in most of the importing countries. Japan is practically the only importer which uses most of the imported sesame for oil extraction.

The economic importance is well known and acknowledged globally. Beniseed by product has found uses in bakery and does not change the colour of baked products after baking. The protein content of biscuits can be increased up by 19-20 per cent when non-heated-treated Beniseed flour is used.

In the Middle East, sesame has long been used for traditional food and such specialties as tahine and halvah. There are market for sesame seed oil in most European countries, including Greece, Italy and Germany where imports increased considerably in the last few years. There are other markets for beniseed oil in the Middle East countries, Saudi Arabia, Jordan etc.

With a few exceptions, there are neither quantitative restrictions nor customs duties on imports of sesame products into major markets. Sanitary regulations are applied in some countries. Imported sesame products must conform to the importer/end-users' requirements in the various markets. Specifications for sesame used for the food industry generally concentrate on color, cleanliness and dryness; whereas oil content is the major purchasing criterion for oil extraction.

Sesame seed products are considered a natural health food in Japan where it is widely used for cooking. Local production is negligible and is for domestic consumption only. Out of total annual consumption, about 65 per cent is used for oil extraction and 35 per cent for food.

The enabling environment for SME export of this precious oil has been created by the government. With the banning of vegetable oil importation and export incentives granted by the federal government to encourage those who want to venture into the international market, there can be no better time to consider investing in this promising product.

All you need do is to take the bull by the horn and build capacity to take advantage of the huge export potentials of the oil available in international business environment. The consultant can assist you with the feasibility and the nitty-gritty of turning the idea into naira and dollar.