Sorghum market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in Pakistan underwent a severe and sustained contraction from 2018 to 2023. Total market volume fell from 183.8 thousand tons to 43.2 thousand tons, a decline of more than 75% over the six-year period.

This sharp decrease was primarily the result of a dramatic collapse in domestic sorghum production, which dropped from 148.7 thousand tons to 38.6 thousand tons. While imports provided some supply in 2018, they fell to minimal levels afterwards and did not compensate for the loss in local output.

Production sorghum in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Pakistan's sorghum production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 96.0 K t of sorghum, representing a 20.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 37.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.3%.

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

Exports sorghum from Pakistan

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Pakistan exported 37 t of sorghum, showing little change from the 2018 level. Between 2017 and 2019, exports decreased by 54.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 23.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Pakistan's sorghum exports in volume terms were the United Arab Emirates (42.0% of exports), Afghanistan (32.8% of exports), and Kazakhstan (21.0% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 95.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Pakistan's sorghum exports totaled 20 K $ US, remaining largely unchanged from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports increased by 22.5%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates were the dominant destinations for Pakistan's sorghum exports in value terms, jointly representing 80.5% of total flows, with the remainder going to other markets.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Pakistan

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 348 t and peaked in 2018 at 35 104 t, representing a 101-fold difference. In 2020, Pakistan imported 1 700 t of sorghum, which is 389.7% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 99.0% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 9 816.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was the dominant supplier of sorghum to Pakistan, accounting for 93.3% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 87 K $ US, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 8 092 K $ US, a peak-to-trough ratio of 93 times. In 2020, Pakistan imported 438 K $ US of sorghum, marking a sharp increase of 404.5% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 98.9% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 5 313.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Pakistan's sorghum imports in value terms were associated with Argentina, which held a 92.0% share of total flows.

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

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