Sorghum market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the West African sorghum market experienced shifts driven by structural and demand factors. In 2018, the market volume stood at 13.7 million tonnes, supported by the growing integration and diversification of the agri-food sector. However, in 2019, competition from maize as a preferred cereal led to a slight contraction. Recovery followed in 2020 as rising demand from local brewing industries, where sorghum is used to substitute imported barley, stimulated consumption and investment.

The market faced a severe downturn in 2021, with volume dropping to 12.1 million tonnes due to unfavorable weather conditions and conflicts in key producing regions like Mali, which reduced planted areas and harvests. Export bans by some governments at the end of the year aimed to secure domestic supply but could not offset the production shortfall. A strong rebound occurred in 2022, with volume reaching 13.9 million tonnes, propelled by increased production in Nigeria—the region's largest producer—where sorghum usage in beer manufacturing reached up to 40%, and by broader industrial demand.

In 2023, market volume declined again to 12.8 million tonnes, even as production in Niger surpassed 2 million tonnes, highlighting country-level variations. The global emphasis on sorghum's role in reducing import dependence, highlighted at the 2023 World Sorghum Conference, underscored its strategic importance for regional food security amidst ongoing market volatility.

Production sorghum in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

In 2020, ECOWAS produced 13,760 thousand tons of sorghum, representing a 4.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.7%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 7.8%.

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

Exports sorghum from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 662 tons, while the highest was in 2020 at 11,181 tons, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 17 times. In 2020, foreign sorghum supplies from ECOWAS surged by 555.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 70.6%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sorghum exports from ECOWAS to abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3,660 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial gain of 220.3% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 432.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 74.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania played a central role in exports in value terms, accounting for 3.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The span from 2017 to 2020 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 4.2 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sorghum to ECOWAS stood at 2,816 tons, representing a 70.3% drop year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 31.2%.

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

Data for 2017–2020 indicate that imports of sorghum to ECOWAS in kind were not concentrated on a few key destinations. China accounted for 11.4% of imports in kind, the United States for 5.4%, and the United Kingdom for 3.1%, jointly making up only 19.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, sorghum imports to ECOWAS reached 3,706 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep fall of 35.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 43.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 11.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom played leading roles in imports of sorghum to ECOWAS in value terms. China accounted for 40.6% of imports, the United States for 13.9%, and the United Kingdom for 7.7%, jointly taking 62.2% of total flows.

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

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