Sorghum market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Mexico's sorghum market experienced shifts shaped by international trade dynamics and production costs. The market volume increased to 4.9 million metric tons in 2019, supported by a rise in imports, despite persisting challenges such as high input costs and strong dependency on U.S. supplies. However, in 2020, volume contracted to 4.7 million tons as imports fell to zero, influenced by trade and currency policies that affected market access. During this period, initiatives led by Inifap and the company Profon aimed to validate technology for commercial sweet sorghum cultivation intended for biomass and ethanol production.

The market declined further to 4.4 million tons in 2021, pressured by record-high international sorghum prices that reduced competitiveness and by a drop in industrial demand for ethanol due to lower fuel consumption during pandemic mobility restrictions. A strong recovery followed in 2022, with market volume reaching nearly 5.0 million tons, driven by higher domestic production and renewed imports. That year also saw proposed regulatory reforms to gradually ban glyphosate, a herbicide widely used in sorghum cultivation. In 2023, volume moderated slightly to 4.9 million tons as domestic production remained above 4.8 million tons and efforts continued to promote sweet sorghum varieties for bioethanol.

Production sorghum in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Mexico was one of the world's top sorghum producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking fourth globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sorghum, 2018-2021

World map of production of sorghum, 2018-2021

In 2021, Mexico produced 4 370 K t of sorghum, marking a measured decline of 7.1% compared to 2020. Over the full period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 3.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 4 353 K t, while the peak occurred in 2020 with 4 704 K t. The largest year-on-year increase was in 2020, when production rose by 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports sorghum from Mexico

Based on market overview data, Mexico did not export any sorghum between 2018 and 2021.

Imports sorghum to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a {ampRatio}-fold difference between these years. In 2021, sorghum shipments to Mexico from abroad amounted to 46.4 K t.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the sole source of sorghum imports to Mexico, accounting for 100.0% of total flows in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. The lowest imports were recorded in 2021, while the highest occurred in 2019, reflecting an 11.1-fold gap between these two years. In 2021, sorghum imports to Mexico totaled 13.8 M $ US, representing a 146.9% increase compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, the United States was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of sorghum to Mexico, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021