NASFAM Associations Achieve Export Certification for Sesame and Sunflower
Three northern associations have completed quality and traceability certification processes, opening new access to premium export markets for oil seed commodities.
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Three NASFAM member associations in the Northern Region have successfully completed an export readiness and certification process for sesame and sunflower seed commodities. The certification, which covers traceability, moisture standards, cleaning and grading protocols, and documentation requirements, opens access to export buyers who previously required higher-volume or more formally certified suppliers.
The certification process was supported by a technical assistance programme that embedded quality advisors within the associations over a 14-month period. Advisors worked directly with farmer group leaders to develop internal quality management procedures, establish grading station infrastructure, and train farmer champions who can sustain the systems independently after the programme concludes.
Initial export enquiries have already been received from buyers in the Asian sub-continent market, where demand for African-origin sesame continues to grow. NASFAM is in discussions with several verified international trading houses to finalise contracted volumes for the coming season, with first shipments expected within the calendar year.
The certification achievement is part of NASFAM's broader market diversification strategy, which seeks to reduce member associations' dependence on single-buyer relationships and domestic spot markets by building certified supply chains that can serve multiple market channels simultaneously.