Sorghum market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in Northern Africa opened the 2018-2023 period at a high of 6.3 million tonnes. This level was partly attributable to the Pidma project, a World Bank-funded initiative that enhanced production and commercialization for growers in Northern Cameroon through partnerships with agro-industrial buyers such as Guinness. Subsequently, market volume declined, reaching 3.8 million tonnes by 2020.

A gradual recovery lifted the market to 4.4 million tonnes in 2021, followed by a sharp rise to 6.4 million tonnes in 2022. The 2022 expansion was fueled by policies promoting local cereals to cut import reliance, especially after the Ukraine war and global price hikes, alongside the spread of hybrid sorghum seeds that boosted productivity for animal feed.

The market retracted to 4.0 million tonnes in 2023.

Production sorghum in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Sorghum production in Northern Africa fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 773 thousand tons, which was a significant 15.8% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 23.5%, averaging an annual decline of 8.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 248 thousand tons, when output increased by 26.7%. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with production falling by 28.3%.

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

Exports sorghum from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. From the low in 2020 to the high in 2017, sorghum exports varied by a factor of 16. In 2020, Northern Africa exported 34.2 thousand tons, reflecting a sharp decline of 73.2% compared to the previous year. The largest drop was recorded in 2018 at 84.6%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 54.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Djibouti, and Eritrea were the main markets for Northern Africa's sorghum exports in volume terms. Kenya accounted for 30.5% of exports, Djibouti for 14.2%, and Eritrea for 11.5%. Together, these three countries absorbed 56.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Between the minimum in 2020 and the maximum in 2017, values varied by a factor of 7. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sorghum from Northern Africa totaled 15.1 million US dollars, indicating a decline of 68.8% from the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 73.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with values rising by 69.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti were the primary destinations for Northern Africa's sorghum exports in value terms. Kenya accounted for 35.1% of exports, Ethiopia for 14.0%, and Djibouti for 10.1%. Collectively, these three markets absorbed 59.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019, import levels fluctuated by a factor of 6.6. In 2020, foreign sorghum supplies to Northern Africa totaled 89.7 thousand tons, corresponding to a year-on-year fall of 20.4%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 112.7 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports surging by 548.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was overwhelmingly dominant as the destination for sorghum imports to Northern Africa in volume terms, accounting for 91.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After advancing for two years, Northern Africa's sorghum imports declined. In 2020, the region imported sorghum worth 15.1 million US dollars, representing a significant drop of 17.7% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 24.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports rising by 39.2%.

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

In 2017–2020, the United States remained the main market for Northern Africa's sorghum imports in value terms, with a share of 89.5% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed across numerous other destinations.

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

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