Market research

Sorghum market in GCC

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"GCC" region includes following countries:

Bahrain

Qatar

Kuwait

the United Arab Emirates

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

After a decline to 181 thousand tons in 2019, the GCC sorghum market expanded significantly to reach 350.2 thousand tons in 2023. The growth was particularly sharp in 2020, when market volume jumped by over 55% to 281.5 thousand tons. This surge was supported by the introduction of new drought-tolerant hybrid sorghum seeds by Bayer Crop Science, which helped boost yields and increase production.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume contracted to 241.3 thousand tons in 2021 but resumed a clear upward trajectory thereafter, reaching 309.6 thousand tons in 2022 and 350.2 thousand tons in 2023. This consistent growth points to a strengthening market over the period.

The market's development has been influenced by continuous innovation in seed technology and shifting consumption patterns. New forage sorghum varieties entered the market, and growing consumer interest in gluten-free alternatives supported demand for sorghum-based products in the region.

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 GCC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in GCC in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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 Bahrain in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bahrain 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 Bahrain in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bahrain 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 Bahrain, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bahrain 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 Bahrain in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bahrain 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 Bahrain in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bahrain 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 Bahrain, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bahrain 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 Bahrain in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Bahrain 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 Bahrain in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Bahrain 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 Bahrain, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bahrain 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 Bahrain in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Bahrain 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 Bahrain in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Bahrain 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 Bahrain, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bahrain 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 GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

After a two-year decline, sorghum production in the GCC rebounded. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 166.4 thousand tons, representing a 13.9% decrease. However, in 2020, production surged to 266.3 thousand tons, marking a significant 60.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 35.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.7%)	(13.9%)	60.0%	10.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sorghum from GCC

Exports in kind, t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at just 1 ton, reflecting a 99.7% decline. The following year, in 2019, exports experienced a dramatic increase of 47,442.9%. By 2020, exports peaked at 4,370 tons, which was 761.7% higher than in 2019. The gap between the highest exports in 2020 and the lowest in 2018 was 4,097-fold.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(99.7%)	47 442.9%	761.7%	121.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia and Nigeria consistently led as the top markets for sorghum exports from the GCC in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 32.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. In 2018, export value reached its minimum at 98 thousand US dollars, with a 28.1% decline. By 2020, exports surged to 1,239 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 668.8% increase compared to 2019. The export levels fluctuated 12.6 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(28.1%)	64.0%	668.8%	108.6%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Yemen formed the primary cluster of markets for sorghum exports from the GCC in value terms. Malaysia accounted for 23.1% of exports, Nigeria for 2.8%, and Yemen for 0.7%. Together, they represented 26.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sorghum to GCC

Imports in kind, t

Sorghum imports into the GCC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 19,493 tons, up by 29.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 57.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.7%	19.1%	29.1%	16.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India, Sudan, and Ukraine consistently remained the main sources for sorghum imports into the GCC in volume terms. India accounted for 28.7% of imports, Sudan for 20.2%, and Ukraine for 17.3%. Together, they represented 66.3% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of sorghum into the GCC increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 4,800 thousand US dollars, which was 17.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 63.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 17.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.5%	19.9%	17.2%	17.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period 2017–2020, India, Sudan, and Ukraine together absorbed 62.7% of total sorghum imports into the GCC in value terms, making them the primary sources. India accounted for 31.1% of imports, Sudan for 16.4%, and Ukraine for 15.2%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io