Sorghum market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in Austria expanded from 25,732 t in 2018 to 37,585 t in 2020, primarily driven by increased cultivation area. Farmer interest in sorghum was sparked by corn rootworm issues and crop rotation rules, while breeding companies like RAGT promoted modern hybrid varieties. In 2019, Austrian sorghum acreage rose by 30%, boosting production. The trend continued in 2020 as sorghum gained recognition as a drought-tolerant C4 crop for feed and biomass.

After peaking in 2020, market volume declined to 31,116 t in 2021 and further to 21,765 t in 2022, though market value showed relative stability. This period saw a notable shift toward organic farming, with sorghum bio-acreage increasing by 965 ha by 2022, supported by projects promoting climate-resilient grains. However, overall market volume contracted amid trade adjustments.

In 2023, the market recovered strongly to 36,835 t, supported by steady seed sales and growing consumer demand for gluten-free and sustainable products. The highly concentrated retail structure in Austria also shaped sorghum product distribution, while breeding companies continued to provide technical advisory support.

Production sorghum in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Austria's sorghum production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 40 320 tonnes of sorghum, marking a sharp increase of 35.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production nearly doubled, rising by 98.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 25.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Austria's sorghum output reached 9 239 thousand US dollars, showing a significant jump of 29.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 42.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%. The only decline during this time occurred in 2019, when output fell by 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sorghum from Austria

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility over the observed period. Sorghum exports from Austria hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 3 980 tonnes, down 5.8% year-on-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 223 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 131.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Austria's sorghum exports in volume, accounting for 87.7% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values reached their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.1-fold difference. In 2020, Austria's sorghum exports were valued at 912 thousand US dollars, a 10.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak value was 1 015 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 106.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany accounted for 83.4% of Austria's sorghum export value. The rest was spread across many countries, each with relatively small individual shares.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Austria

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Austria imported 1 244 tonnes of sorghum, a 28.4% drop from the previous year. The minimum volume was 126 tonnes in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 94.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 1 276.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Hungary, and Germany formed the core of Austria's sorghum imports by volume. Romania led with 44.3%, followed by Hungary at 27.2%, and Germany at 12.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations during this period. Import values were at their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 5-fold difference. In 2020, Austria imported sorghum worth approximately 703 thousand US dollars, representing a 15.8% decrease year-over-year. The minimum value was 166 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also saw the largest decline of 54.3%. The peak value was 834 thousand US dollars in 2019, which experienced the largest increase of 402.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Hungary, and Romania were the main sources of Austria's sorghum imports by value. France accounted for 36.5%, Hungary for 19.3%, and Romania for 14.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 70.3% of total import value.

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

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