Sorghum market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The grain sorghum market in Northern America saw considerable volume changes from 2018 to 2023. After a dip to 8.7 million tons in 2019, the market expanded to 9.5 million tons in 2020 and surged to 11.4 million tons in 2021. This growth was propelled by the introduction of improved seed technologies, including Bayer Crop Science's drought-tolerant hybrid launched in early 2020 and Corteva Agriscience's Inzen trait in 2021, which enhanced weed control and yield potential for farmers.

Market volume dropped sharply to 4.8 million tons in 2022 but recovered to 8.1 million tons in 2023. The rebound was supported by rising demand from new applications, such as Ingredion's expansion of sorghum-based food ingredients and growing interest in sorghum as a biofuel feedstock. Continued innovation in seed breeding and the development of industrial uses like sorbitan tristearate further diversified market demand.

Production sorghum in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

In 2019, sorghum production in Northern America reached its lowest point at 8,673 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 6.4% recorded that year. By 2020, production had risen to 9,474 thousand tons, showing a measured year-over-year increase of 9.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.1%, which translates to a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sorghum output in Northern America was $2,382 million US, reflecting a robust year-over-year decline of 13.6%. The largest increase during this period was a modest 0.2% in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 15.4%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sorghum from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. In 2019, sorghum exports from Northern America hit their minimum at 70 tons, with the largest decline of 87.8% recorded that year. By 2020, exports had surged to 866 tons, marking a sharp gain of 1,132.4% compared to 2019. Overall, export volumes varied by a factor of 12.3 times from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Sudan, and China consistently held the leading positions in the country structure of sorghum exports in kind from Northern America. South Korea accounted for 29.4% of exports, Sudan for 28.2%, and China for 18.1%. Together, these three countries represented 75.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during these years. In 2019, sorghum exports in value terms from Northern America bottomed out at $22,000 US, with the largest decline of 87.0% recorded that year. By 2020, exports had peaked at $218,000 US, up by 874.9% compared to 2019. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019 was a multiple of 9.7 times.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Sudan, and China made the biggest contributions to sorghum exports in value terms from Northern America. South Korea accounted for 28.1% of exports, Sudan for 24.0%, and China for 14.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 66.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. In 2018, sorghum imports into Northern America reached their lowest point at 381 tons, with the largest decline of 94.0% recorded that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 918.2%. By 2020, imports had peaked at approximately 6,453 tons, showing a sharp year-over-year gain of 66.5%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018 was a factor of 17 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, Morocco, and India were the main markets for sorghum imports in kind into Northern America. Tunisia accounted for 7.9% of imports, Morocco for 2.2%, and India for 1.7%. Together, these three countries represented 11.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, foreign sorghum supplies to Northern America increased. In 2019, imports hit their minimum at $1,300,000 US, with the largest decline of 8.4% recorded that year. By 2020, imports had risen to a total of $1,785,000 US, showing a steep year-over-year rise of 37.4%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24%, equating to an annualized rate of increase of 7.4%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, two main directions—India and China—together accounted for 5.7% of total sorghum imports in value terms into Northern America.

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

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