Sorghum market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the sorghum market volume in Central Asia expanded from 23 604 t to 35 316 t, a 50% increase. This sustained growth was driven by the introduction of new high-yielding and drought-resistant hybrid varieties, such as Slavyanskoye Pole 591, which encouraged farmers to expand cultivation. Concurrently, rising demand from the livestock sector for nutritious fodder sorghum provided a steady outlet for production, while state support and investments in agriculture facilitated a significant increase in sowing areas by 2022.

The market surge peaked in 2022, but also faced headwinds from newly imposed export quotas on grains and increased price competition from Russian wheat and flour. In 2023, despite continued efforts to improve agro-technologies, develop new hybrids, and promote both domestic and export sales, the overall market volume corrected to 29 435 t. Factors reported for 2024 include a record harvest, bolstered by ongoing investments in storage infrastructure and expanded support mechanisms for farmers from the state-owned Prodcorporation, aiming to stabilize the market.

Production sorghum in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

In Central Asia, sorghum production reached 23 237 tonnes in 2020, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 23 572 tonnes. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 9.4%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.1% rise.

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

Exports sorghum from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 23-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sorghum from Central Asia totaled 1 tonne, representing a sharp increase of 2 166.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 93.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mongolia and Russia were the primary destinations for sorghum exports from Central Asia, together accounting for 21.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited signs of volatility over the observed period. Export volumes declined to their lowest level in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 58 times. In 2020, the value of sorghum leaving Central Asia totaled 4.4 thousand US dollars, which is 5 748.7% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 87.2% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Mongolia and Russia jointly accounting for 85.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, showing an 88-fold gap. In 2020, foreign sorghum supplies to Central Asia reached 1 136 tonnes, indicating a reduction of 61.5% from the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 34 tonnes, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 2 946 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 8 668.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and the United States together accounted for 61.4% of total imports in kind, making them the main sources of sorghum for Central Asia.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports declined to their lowest level in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.4-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia imported 424.1 thousand US dollars worth of sorghum, representing an abrupt rise of 124.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 79.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 26.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 139.2% gain.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Russia (34.1% of imports in value terms), the United States (15.9%), and Thailand (3.8%) were the principal suppliers of sorghum to Central Asia, jointly accounting for 53.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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