Sorghum market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market volume in Burkina Faso declined from 1.93 million tons in 2018 to 1.63 million tons in 2021. This downturn occurred despite sustained efforts to promote drought-resistant varieties through participatory selection and support from local seed companies. Climatic stresses such as irregular rainfall and deteriorating security conditions, which led to the abandonment of some farming areas, weighed on production. The government's ban on sorghum grain exports from January 2021 aimed to secure domestic food supply, further shaping market dynamics.

A rebound to 2.01 million tons followed in 2022, supported by the extension of export bans to sorghum flour and heightened seizures of grain intended for illegal export, which helped retain more produce within the country. Continued diffusion of climate-adapted varieties and the development of the sorghum value chain, including for brewing, provided additional impetus. However, volume fell again to 1.77 million tons in 2023 as persistent security and economic factors constrained production and commercialization.

In 2024, the adoption of a law on plastic packaging may affect grain product labeling requirements, while state programs continued to focus on strengthening sorghum production for national food security.

Production sorghum in Burkina Faso

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Burkina Faso ranked as the 11th largest producer of sorghum between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Burkina Faso's sorghum production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 840 K t of sorghum, marking a slight decrease of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 34.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 10.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 930 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 3.0% decline, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 41.3% rise.

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

Exports sorghum from Burkina Faso

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Burkina Faso exported 41 853 t of sorghum, reflecting a sharp increase of 737.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 1 285.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 140.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Niger dominated Burkina Faso's sorghum exports in kind, consistently accounting for 90.6% of the total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 7.7-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, the value of sorghum exports from Burkina Faso amounted to 3 653 K $ US, representing a sharp increase of 667.5% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger was the primary destination for Burkina Faso's sorghum exports in value terms, accounting for 83.0% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, t

Burkina Faso's sorghum imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 78 t, showing a dramatic improvement of 90.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, imports grew by 95.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mali (44.3% of imports in kind), Ghana (30.1% of imports in kind), and Niger (25.1% of imports in kind) led the ranking of sorghum suppliers to Burkina Faso, with their combined share reaching 99.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of sorghum imports into Burkina Faso reached 4 K $ US, corresponding to a gain of 215.4% from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 K $ US, with the largest decline of 47.0% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mali (47.0% of imports in value terms), Niger (31.2% of imports in value terms), and Ghana (13.9% of imports in value terms) topped the list of sorghum suppliers to Burkina Faso in value terms, with their combined share accounting for 92.2% of total imports in value.

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

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