Sorghum market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in Greece fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, reaching a peak of 8 946 tons in 2022. This substantial growth was primarily driven by increased demand for sorghum as a drought-resistant feed alternative for livestock and its rising popularity as a nutritious whole grain for human consumption, promoted as a healthy dietary choice.

Earlier in the period, feed shortages encouraged the use of sorghum in animal nutrition, supporting market volume. Antitrust inspections in the cereals sector during 2020 coincided with a market contraction, while growing consumer interest in organic cereal products contributed to a modest recovery in 2021. The market retracted in 2023, settling at 8 483 tons.

Production sorghum in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with a dramatic 16-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, Greece produced 7 390 tonnes of sorghum, marking a slight decrease of 0.7% compared to 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7 640 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.6% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a remarkable 1 468.8% surge.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sorghum from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Greece's sorghum exports continued their downward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 14.5 tonnes of sorghum, representing an 8.2% decline compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 81.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 43.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy and Bulgaria together accounted for 80.4% of Greece's total sorghum exports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated considerable volatility during these years. Export values reached their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with the highest value being 5.5 times greater than the lowest. In 2020, Greece's foreign sorghum supplies totaled 33.0 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial improvement of 47.3% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 20.8 thousand US dollars, while the most significant decline occurred that same year with an 81.9% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (65.3% of export value), Bulgaria (13.2%), and France (7.6%) consistently held the leading positions in Greece's export structure by value, collectively accounting for 86.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Greece's sorghum imports declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 395.9 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 37.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.2%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 0.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 633.8 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 27.1% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Ukraine (27.5% of import volume), Bulgaria (18.8%), and Italy (15.7%) remained the primary suppliers of sorghum to Greece, together comprising 61.9% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Greece's foreign sorghum supplies declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 297.7 thousand US dollars worth of sorghum, indicating a sharp decrease of 26.1% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8.5%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 414.1 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 27.3%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Italy (34.4% of import value), the United States (22.2%), and Ukraine (11.2%) were the main suppliers of sorghum to Greece, collectively representing 67.8% of total imports by value.

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

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