Sorghum market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market volume in the SADC region expanded from 1.29 million tons in 2018 to a peak of 1.55 million tons in 2020 and 2021. Initial growth was influenced by drought conditions that reduced local yields in key producing areas, necessitating higher imports to meet demand. Concurrently, industry efforts such as the South African Sorghum Cluster Initiative aimed to boost production and lobby for VAT exemption, supporting market expansion. Sorghum's price discount compared to maize also made it an attractive alternative for consumers and processors.

Market volume stabilized in 2021 at 1.55 million tons despite challenges from biotic stresses and the need for improved disease management. However, from 2022 onwards, the market contracted, falling to 1.37 million tons by 2023. This decline coincided with increased climate change impacts, including concurrent heat and moisture stress that threatened sorghum productivity across the region. While consumer awareness of sorghum's nutritional benefits and drought tolerance grew, production constraints such as seed recycling practices and limited market access persisted, hampering recovery.

Production sorghum in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

SADC's sorghum production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 499 thousand tonnes of sorghum, marking a significant 14.3% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 5.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 249 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year being 1.2%.

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

Exports sorghum from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Between 2018 and 2020, exports varied by 8 times, with the minimum in 2018 at 2.8 thousand tonnes and the maximum in 2020 at 22.4 thousand tonnes. In 2020, SADC's sorghum exports totaled 22.4 thousand tonnes, representing a dramatic 164.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 203.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, SADC's sorghum exports had a broad portfolio of buyers. Uganda accounted for 14.2% of exports in kind, Kenya for 6.4%, and Burundi for 5.3%, together making up 25.9% of total exports. Many other countries also held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Between 2017 and 2019, exports in value terms showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 7.3 times. In 2020, foreign sorghum supplies from SADC amounted to 8 569 thousand US dollars, a 111.5% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 052 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2018 at 82.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for SADC's sorghum exports in value terms were Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi, together accounting for 59.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sorghum to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Between 2018 and 2019, imports varied by 2.5 times, with the minimum in 2018 at 42.0 thousand tonnes and the maximum in 2019 at 104.5 thousand tonnes. In 2020, imported sorghum volumes in SADC amounted to 77.2 thousand tonnes, which is 26.1% lower year-on-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 50.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 149.2%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the United States and Uganda were the top markets for sorghum imports in kind to SADC, together accounting for 72.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2018 to 2020, imports varied by 2.1 times, with the minimum in 2018 at 12 477 thousand US dollars and the maximum in 2020 at 25 958 thousand US dollars. In 2020, SADC imported 25 958 thousand US dollars worth of sorghum, corresponding to a 4.6% rise from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 38.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 98.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core of SADC's sorghum imports in value terms consisted of the United States with 60.6%, Australia with 4.3%, and Uganda with 1.5%, together taking 66.4% of total flows.

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

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