Sorghum market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Mozambique's push for fertilizer legislation aimed to improve rural distribution and lower input costs, setting a foundation for sorghum production. The market volume grew to 158 000 t in 2019, though the emerging COVID-19 pandemic began affecting agri-industrial value chains toward year-end.

The pandemic's disruption contributed to a drop in sorghum volume to 142 000 t in 2020, despite the government's launch of a 2020-2024 agenda to promote agribusiness. Recovery followed in 2021, with volume rising to 147 000 t as favorable climatic conditions and regional commercialization supported output. A strong expansion occurred in 2022, when volume jumped to 164 000 t, driven by government campaigns targeting agricultural growth and climate resilience.

In 2023, the sorghum market contracted to 140 000 t, even as the livestock sector expanded and investments were made in feed processing and storage infrastructure.

Production sorghum in Mozambique

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Sorghum production in Mozambique declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 142.0 K t of sorghum, marking a 10.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 29.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 158.2 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 34.7%.

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

Exports sorghum from Mozambique

Exports in kind, t

Mozambique's sorghum exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 0.6 t, representing a 52.1% increase compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged by 9 733.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 361.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore were the primary destinations for Mozambique's sorghum exports in volume terms. Denmark accounted for 23.4% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 20.2%, and Singapore for 19.8%. Together, these three countries made up 63.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market for sorghum exports in value terms showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied widely, with a 41-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. In 2020, the value of exported sorghum from Mozambique was recorded at 596 US dollars, a 67.3% drop from the previous year. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 1 821 US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase was also in 2019 at 4 025.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Croatia consistently led as the main destinations for Mozambique's sorghum exports in value terms. Singapore accounted for 47.6% of export value, the United Arab Emirates for 28.2%, and Croatia for 8.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 84.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Mozambique

Imports in kind, t

Sorghum imports into Mozambique displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.7-fold increase between these years. In 2020, imported sorghum volumes amounted to 110.5 t, a sharp rise of 223.9% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 62.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Zimbabwe were the dominant suppliers of sorghum to Mozambique, together accounting for 99.9% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The value of sorghum imports into Mozambique experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Import values hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2020, with a 4.7-fold swing between these years. In 2020, the value of sorghum imports totaled 90 832 US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 354.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 74.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, South Africa and Zimbabwe formed a duopoly in Mozambique's sorghum imports in value terms, with their combined share making up 99.9% of total flows.

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

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