Sorghum market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Italy's sorghum market volume expanded from 349.7 thousand tons to 460.6 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by a concerted effort to revive the crop, led by seed company RV Venturoli and supported by a significant increase in the area dedicated to grain sorghum, which rose from 39 600 hectares to 46 700 hectares. Comparative hybrid trials coordinated by CREA and a broader EU-wide trend of expanding sorghum acreage further bolstered domestic production and supply.

The market contracted sharply to 269.4 thousand tons in 2021 and 258.0 thousand tons in 2022. This decline coincided with a period of soaring production costs and intense inflationary pressure, which pushed sorghum prices up by over 20% in 2021 and by 33.3% in 2022, likely affecting demand and farm profitability. Concurrently, the impending implementation of the new CAP 2023-2027, introducing mandatory crop rotation per land parcel, created uncertainty for cereal growers, potentially influencing planting decisions and market availability.

A partial recovery to 274.8 thousand tons occurred in 2023, supported by a rebound in overall cereal acreage and sustained consumer interest in gluten-free and organic products. Ongoing varietal innovations and field trials aimed at improving sorghum's productivity and its profile as a drought-resistant, sustainable crop contributed to this positive shift in the market.

Production sorghum in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy was among the world's leading sorghum producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Sorghum production in Italy increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 373.8 thousand tons of sorghum, which is 15.8% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 55.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.8%.

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

Exports sorghum from Italy

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, sorghum exports from Italy increased in 2020. Italy exported 819 tons of sorghum that year, marking a 37.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.6%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 597 tons, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of Italian sorghum by volume. Germany accounted for 28.4% of exports, France for 26.7%, and the Netherlands for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented 63.4% of Italy's total sorghum exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility during the observed period. Exported sorghum volumes from Italy varied 3.2 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, the value of exported sorghum totaled 1 911 thousand US dollars, up 15.9% from the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 604 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 29.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 173.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Spain were the main buyers of Italian sorghum by value. Germany accounted for 23.9% of exports in value terms, France for 18.4%, and Spain for 12.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 54.8% of Italy's total sorghum exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Sorghum imports into Italy varied 1.9 times between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, imports stood at 87 586 tons, showing a modest 9.0% improvement compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 46 794 tons, with the largest decline that year at 26.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 71.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Ukraine, Hungary, and the United States remained the key partners for Italy's sorghum imports by volume. Ukraine accounted for 23.8% of imports in kind, Hungary for 22.4%, and the United States for 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 59.6% of Italy's total sorghum imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sorghum imports into Italy increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 23 153 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial 18.6% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 38.2%, equating to an average annual rate of 11.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 980 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 22.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 50.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—France, Hungary, and Ukraine—together absorbed 58.5% of Italy's total sorghum imports in value terms.

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

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