Market research

Sorghum market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in the Democratic Republic of the Congo grew from 7,061 t in 2018 to 8,105 t in 2019. This increase coincided with the government's commitment to improve the business environment in agriculture by shifting focus from direct production to better legal, fiscal, and incentive frameworks, which attracted foreign investor interest through land agreements. Additionally, the prevalence of pests from planting material exchanges and agro-climatic changes underscored the need for urgent agricultural interventions.

After a slight stabilization at 8,048 t in 2020, the market volume resumed growth, reaching 8,664 t in 2021 and further increasing to 8,927 t by 2023. While specific annual drivers for this period are not highlighted, the overall expansion continued. In 2023, the establishment of the Army Defense Reserve introduced a security context that could indirectly affect agricultural operations and market stability.

By 2024, cereal production including sorghum rose by 3.2%, supported by favorable agricultural policy and the Ministry of Agriculture's irrigated campaign for the 2024-2025 season. However, persistent armed conflicts in the east and the extension of international sanctions until 2025 posed challenges to stability and input access. Concurrently, World Bank support for SMEs through the PADMPME project fostered entrepreneurial growth in agriculture, contributing to innovation and sector development.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sorghum in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Sorghum production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 183 tons of sorghum, marking a slight increase of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 31.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.6%	14.8%	1.0%	9.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sorghum from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, sorghum exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 138.4 tons, showing minimal change from the year before. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged by 4 365.2%, averaging an annual increase of 254.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda and Uganda were the primary destinations for sorghum exports in kind, together accounting for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

In 2020, the value of sorghum exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 23 633 US dollars, remaining largely stable compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, export value jumped by 5 415.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 280.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Uganda and Rwanda dominated sorghum exports in value terms, jointly representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sorghum to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied significantly, dropping to a low in 2018 and peaking in 2017, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo imported 3.6 tons of sorghum, a 78.1% decrease from 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(78.1%)	n/a	n/a	(3.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of sorghum to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind were the United Arab Emirates (42.1% of imports), Uganda (34.9% of imports), and Belgium (12.5% of imports), together making up 89.6% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, the value of sorghum imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo reached 2 804 US dollars, up 4.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 20%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.9%	n/a	n/a	6.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the key markets for sorghum imports in value terms were the United Arab Emirates (36.9% of imports), Belgium (24.1% of imports), and Denmark (21.8% of imports), collectively accounting for 82.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io