Sorghum market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Asian sorghum market underwent sharp fluctuations. In 2018, the market volume reached 12.2 million tons, supported by government subsidies and increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) that encouraged cultivation. The market fell to 8.7 million tons in 2019 as imports contracted sharply. A strong recovery followed in 2020, with the market expanding to 14.2 million tons, aided by higher MSP that stabilized farmer incomes and tightened food safety and labeling regulations that boosted consumer confidence and demand. Growth continued in 2021, pushing the market to 18.4 million tons, driven by the release of new hybrid varieties that improved productivity and the emergence of new processed product segments that broadened consumption.

In 2022, the market volume stabilized at 18.6 million tons, sustained by policy improvements for sorghum cultivation and processing, including enhanced market access and eased distribution regulations, alongside the development of functional health-oriented products. However, 2023 saw a significant contraction to 13.2 million tons, directly linked to global supply chain shifts, particularly a sharp drop in sorghum imports by China, which reduced availability across Asia. Factors for 2024 point to continued influence from global trade realignments, including further reductions in Chinese imports and rising sorghum demand due to declining corn production.

Production sorghum in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, sorghum production in Asia rebounded. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 7 364 K t, with the largest annual decline of 7.4% recorded that year. By 2020, output had risen to 8 895 K t, marking a 20.8% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, the value of sorghum production in Asia recovered. In 2019, the value hit a low of 2 644 M $ US, with the largest annual decline of 23.7% occurring that year. By 2020, the value had climbed to 3 352 M $ US, representing a 26.8% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, however, the overall value decreased by 7.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sorghum from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Asia's sorghum export volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports peaked at 55 K t, with the largest annual increase of 11.2% recorded that year. By 2020, exports had fallen to 32 K t, a sharp 27.6% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 36.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, remained the primary partner for sorghum exports from Asia in volume terms, accounting for 81.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of sorghum from Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, the value reached a high of 24 M $ US, with the largest annual increase of 9.6% recorded that year. In 2019, the largest annual decline of 34.7% occurred. By 2020, exports had dropped to 12 M $ US, down 24.0% from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 45.6%, averaging an annual decline of 18.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, held the largest share in sorghum export value from Asia, taking 79.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports bottomed out in 2019 at 1 381 K t, with the largest annual decline of 68.2% recorded that year. By 2020, imports had surged to 5 294 K t, reflecting a steep 283.4% increase from 2019. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, imports changed by 4.1 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the central partner for sorghum imports into Asia in volume terms, with a share of 83.1% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed out in 2019 at 319 M $ US, with the largest annual decline of 68.5% recorded that year. By 2020, imports had peaked at 1 280 M $ US, corresponding to a 301.1% rise compared with 2019. From the trough in 2019 to the peak in 2020, the top-to-bottom ratio was 4 times.

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

Over 2017-2020, the United States was the dominant destination for sorghum imports into Asia in value terms, accounting for 81.6% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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