Sorghum market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, sorghum production in Central America stood at 4.8 million tons, supported by a noted increase in local white sorghum cultivation for human consumption by small and medium producers across several countries. Market volume then fluctuated, dipping to 4.6 million tons in 2019 before recovering to 5.0 million tons in 2020, while the total market size saw a rise to 5.2 million tons in 2019 driven by significant import volumes.

The period from 2021 to 2022 was marked by shifting trade patterns. In 2021, production fell to 4.6 million tons and market volume declined to 4.6 million tons, coinciding with Argentina's sharp rise in sorghum exports to China, which altered global grain flows. The following year, production rebounded to 5.0 million tons and market volume grew to 5.3 million tons. This recovery occurred alongside the regional implementation of the front-of-pack food labeling regulation (RTCA 67.01.60:10), which altered consumer perception of processed foods and affected manufacturer strategies.

In 2023, production stabilized at 5.0 million tons as the market volume settled at 5.1 million tons. The regional market remained influenced by broader dynamics, including sustained Chinese demand for sorghum and ongoing developments in hybrid seed technology, which supported farming productivity in Central America.

Production sorghum in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Central America's sorghum production rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The region produced 4 961 K t of sorghum that year, representing a 7.8% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the entire 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3% overall, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 601 K t, while the largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2018 at 6.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sorghum production in Central America reached 1 962 M $ US, marking a moderate decrease of 5.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 24.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 714 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 34.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 21.5%.

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

Exports sorghum from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

The sorghum export market showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 at 1.3 K t, then fell to their lowest in 2020 at just 0.2 K t - a 6.9-fold difference between these years. The 2020 export volume represented a sharp decline of 74.3% compared to 2019. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 16.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States accounted for the largest share of Central America's sorghum exports in volume terms, representing 0.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sorghum export values from Central America declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The region exported sorghum worth 0.1 M $ US that year, representing a steep 77.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 86.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 49.2%.

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

From 2017 through 2020, the United States maintained the largest share of Central America's sorghum exports in value terms, accounting for 9.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

The sorghum import market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 at 595.5 K t, then plummeted to just 0.3 K t in 2020 - representing a staggering 1 867-fold difference between these years. The 2020 import volume marked a dramatic 99.9% decrease compared to 2019. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 at 29 857.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sorghum imports to Central America were highly concentrated, with the United States accounting for 99.4% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Considerable volatility characterized the sorghum import market during this period. Import values reached their highest point in 2019 at 154.5 M $ US, then dropped sharply to just 0.8 M $ US in 2020 - a 188-fold difference. The 2020 import value represented a sudden 99.5% decrease from the previous year. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 at 142.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States dominated Central America's sorghum imports in value terms, accounting for 99.5% of total import flows.

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

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