Sorghum market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Lebanese state launched a program to increase local grain production, including sorghum, by expanding cultivated areas and involving more farmers using certified high-yield seeds. This contributed to a rise in sorghum production from 3 160 t in 2018 to 3 660 t in 2019. However, market volume fell from 6 266 t to 4 240 t due to a sharp drop in imports, aligning with the program's goal of reducing import dependency. In 2020, the Beirut port explosion, which destroyed grain silos, and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, causing imports to plummet further to 122 t. In response, local production increased to 5 100 t, partially offsetting the shortfall, and market volume grew to 5 222 t.

In 2021, a halt in grain imports drove up prices, resulting in zero imports and a market volume drop to 4 370 t, despite production holding at 4 370 t. In March 2022, an export ban on milled grain products was imposed to protect the domestic market, supporting production which rose to 4 670 t, while market volume reached 4 770 t. Simultaneously, a shift to dollar-based pricing in grocery stores amplified inflationary pressures. By 2023, renewed hostilities and maritime shipping disruptions due to the conflict in Gaza led to consumer hoarding, higher prices, and a production decline to 3 840 t. Market volume contracted to 3 826 t.

Production sorghum in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Lebanon's sorghum production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5 100 tons of sorghum, marking a 39.3% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 962.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 119.8%.

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

Exports sorghum from Lebanon

According to the sector overview, Lebanon did not export any sorghum between 2017 and 2020.

Imports sorghum to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Lebanon imported 122.3 tons of sorghum in 2020, a decrease of 78.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 81.3%. In contrast, the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 213.8%, when imports peaked at 3 105.7 tons. The minimum was in 2020, resulting in a 25-fold variation between the highest and lowest points during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan was the dominant partner for sorghum imports in kind, accounting for 80.9% of total flows, while other markets had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Lebanon imported approximately 46.3 thousand US dollars worth of sorghum in 2020, a sharp reduction of 71.7% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was in 2018, at 116.0%, when imports reached their peak value of 461.5 thousand US dollars. The lowest point was in 2020, creating a 10-fold amplitude between the highest and lowest values from 2018 to 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Sudan, Ukraine, and India—together accounted for 91.5% of Lebanon'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 Lebanon in value, 2017-2020