Sorghum market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The Caribbean sorghum market experienced a significant contraction from 2018 to 2020, with its volume falling from 23 774 t to 13 499 t. This decline was primarily due to a sharp drop in domestic production, which more than halved over the period.

A strong recovery began in 2021, with the market volume jumping to 21 668 t. This growth was largely propelled by robust Chinese demand on the global stage, which increased worldwide trade and incentivized production in tropical regions. The crop's resilience to drought and low input needs also made it a viable option amid rising fertilizer costs and climate pressures. The positive trend continued into 2022, with the market reaching 23 158 t. A surge in imports, facilitated by the absence of specific commercialization and packaging restrictions in many tropical markets, compensated for local production challenges posed by dry planting conditions and high fuel costs.

After two years of expansion, the sorghum market volume in the Caribbean decreased to 19 909 t in 2023, aligning with a normalization of import flows.

Production sorghum in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Sorghum production in the Caribbean has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 12.0 K t of sorghum, representing a significant 15.6% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 86.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 48.7%.

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

Exports sorghum from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a gap of {ampRatio} times between these years. In 2020, sorghum exports from the Caribbean amounted to 0.5 t, marking an 8 034.3% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 t, with the largest decline that year reaching 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala and France dominated sorghum exports in kind, together accounting for 93.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. The period from 2017 to 2019 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 452 times. In 2020, the value of sorghum exports from the Caribbean stood at 0.8 K $ US, indicating a 1 861.3% gain over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 97.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Guatemala was the primary partner for sorghum exports in value terms, making up 92.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their highest level in 2017 and their lowest in 2018, with a 4.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sorghum to the Caribbean totaled 1 531 t, showing a modest decline of 4.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 500 t, with the largest decline that year at 76.0% and the largest increase in 2019 at 221.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of sorghum in kind to the Caribbean were highly concentrated, with the United States accounting for 98.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility defined the market behavior during these years. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and dropped to a minimum in 2018, representing a 3-fold shift. In 2020, the value of imported sorghum to the Caribbean was 496.7 K $ US, reflecting a sharp loss of 33.4% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 247.0 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 745.2 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 48.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 201.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the key and nearly exclusive market for sorghum imports in value terms to the Caribbean, accounting for 97.9% of total flows.

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

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