Sorghum market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Government initiatives to promote sorghum as part of national food security, including the development of drought-resistant and nutrient-rich varieties, began to stimulate interest in the crop in 2018. However, the sorghum market volume in South-eastern Asia contracted to 216 thousand t in 2019. The situation shifted sharply in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global food supply chains, prompting an increase in local sorghum production as an alternative raw material to reduce import dependency. At the same time, growing consumer preference for healthy and gluten-free products bolstered demand for sorghum, driving market volume up by 23% to 266 thousand t.

Following the 2020 peak, the market adjusted to 238 thousand t in 2021, a period which saw the entry of new agribusiness players focused on processing and the launch of large-scale sorghum flour production facilities. In 2022, increased public and private investment in improved sorghum varieties, coupled with subsidy policies for farmers, supported a modest recovery to 241 thousand t. By 2023, global supply chain disruptions and commodity price fluctuations exerted pressure on the market, leading to a slight decrease to 239 thousand t, even as state-owned enterprises expanded their role in the sorghum value chain.

In 2024, consolidation efforts between research institutions, government, and industry continue to accelerate the development of superior sorghum. Policy support through fiscal incentives and farmer training programs, alongside evolving consumer preferences in South-eastern Asia toward functional, gluten-free, and organic foods, shapes the ongoing trajectory of the sorghum market.

Production sorghum in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, sorghum production in South-eastern Asia increased. In 2020, the region produced 226.7 thousand tons of sorghum, marking a 19.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 190.3 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sorghum from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Sorghum exports from South-eastern Asia reached their lowest point in 2019 at 43 tons, then peaked in 2018 at 3 861 tons, representing a 91-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports totaled 2 736 tons, showing a dramatic increase of 6,329.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 98.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

The export structure from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. China accounted for 6.1% of exports in kind, Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 5.3%, and Pakistan for 5.3%. Together, these three partners represented just 16.6% of total export flows, while the remaining 83.4% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated considerable volatility during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 136 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2018 at 1 316 thousand US dollars, creating a 9.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, exported sorghum volumes from South-eastern Asia totaled 1 020 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 650.0% increase year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 89.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, export values were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Pakistan accounted for 9.5% of exports in value terms, Papua New Guinea for 8.1%, and China for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 23.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports sorghum to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Sorghum imports into South-eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 42 303 tons, showing a sharp 65.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 85%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.8%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 21 298 tons, while the largest decline occurred that same year at 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Australia dominated sorghum imports in kind with 46.9% of the total, followed by Ukraine with 19.1% and India with 14.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.5% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported sorghum volumes into South-eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 18 143 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic 111.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 197.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 43.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia consistently led import values with 54.8% of the total, followed by Ukraine with 15.7% and India with 13.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020