Market research

Sorghum market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

African sorghum production reached 30 380 thousand tons in 2018, driven by growing industrial demand for beverages and animal feed, as well as the expansion of hybrid seed use which enhanced productivity. Production then fell to 28 220 thousand tons in 2019 and remained nearly stable at 28 347 thousand tons in 2020, with the continent's large sorghum area and existing value chains providing a foundation.

Output dropped further to 26 447 thousand tons in 2021. A sharp rebound occurred in 2022, with production rising to 29 382 thousand tons, fueled by national policies in Nigeria that prioritized the sorghum value chain and accelerated adoption of high-yielding hybrid seeds. However, 2023 saw another decline to 25 976 thousand tons, coinciding with supply constraints that led to expectations of higher prices, while research initiatives continued to focus on climate-resilient varieties.

In 2024, factors such as El Niño-related drought in Southern Africa and continued development of the hybrid seed market are influencing the sorghum sector, alongside policy measures in Kenya and Nigeria aimed at supporting production and trade.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sorghum in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Africa produced 28 347 K t of sorghum, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 7.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 10.2%, with production peaking that year at 30 380 K t.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.2%	(7.1%)	0.5%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sorghum from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's sorghum exports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 193.4 K t, which represents a solid 22.1% rise compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 43.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 129.9 K t, marking the largest decline of 62.2% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(62.2%)	21.9%	22.1%	(17.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's sorghum exports in kind were relatively evenly distributed among partner countries. Spain accounted for 6.6% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 1.9%, and Italy for 1.9%, with these three countries together representing only 10.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Africa's cross-border shipments of sorghum in value terms stood at 66.8 M $ US, down by 31.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 56.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 64.5 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 58.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 50.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(58.3%)	50.7%	(31.2%)	(24.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's sorghum exports in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Spain contributed 3.6% of exports, Belgium 2.7%, and Saudi Arabia 1.3%, with these three countries together accounting for only 7.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sorghum to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa imported 377.2 K t of sorghum in 2020, reflecting a decline of 33.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -12.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.5%)	11.7%	(33.1%)	(12.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest contributor to Africa's sorghum imports in kind, accounting for 52.3%, followed by Italy at 7.7% and India at 5.3%. Together, these three countries made up 65.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's sorghum imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 159.8 M $ US, which is 15.6% lower compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -16.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(24.9%)	(6.8%)	(15.6%)	(16.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States led as the top supplier of sorghum to Africa in value terms, accounting for 52.5% of imports, followed by Italy at 15.1% and India at 5.1%. Their combined share reached 72.6% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io