Sorghum market in Southern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in Southern Africa showed growth from 2018 to 2020, with market volume increasing from 241 thousand tons to 263 thousand tons. The introduction of new sorghum-based products like Umoja Beer Powder in 2019 modernized traditional beverages and stimulated demand, leading to a significant rise in imports that supported the market despite a drop in domestic production that year. In 2020, a strong rebound in domestic production drove further market expansion.

Market volume reached a peak of 280 thousand tons in 2021, supported by stable sorghum area of around 40 000 hectares and price premiums over maize, which encouraged domestic output. Sorghum remained a staple food in drought-prone rural areas, underpinning consumption. However, production challenges emerged in 2022, causing market volume to fall to 228 thousand tons. Industry and government initiatives, such as pre-breeding programs and feasibility studies identifying sorghum as a key crop for bio-economy development, were launched but did not prevent the short-term output decline. In 2023, market volume recovered to 240 thousand tons, entirely due to a surge in imports to 114 thousand tons, while domestic production fell to 143 thousand tons amid ongoing constraints in cultivar yield potential and reduced demand, prompting collaborative efforts through the Sorghum Cluster Initiative.

In 2024, import volumes rose further to 181 thousand tons, and exports fell to 8 thousand tons. Geopolitical factors and potential exclusion from AGOA sharpened focus on trade policies affecting agricultural exports, while record agricultural export revenues reflected favorable commodity prices and government-industry cooperation on logistics.

Production sorghum in Southern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

In 2020, Southern Africa produced 258.0 thousand tons of sorghum, marking a 48.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 31.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 173.4 thousand tons, which represented a 17.0% decline from the previous year.

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

Exports sorghum from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a six-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Africa exported 8 757 tons of sorghum, showing a dramatic 497.5% increase from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 465 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 52.7% drop.

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

Analysis of export volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across multiple markets. Zimbabwe accounted for 6.4% of exports, Special Categories for 4.0%, and Tanzania for 2.2%, together representing just 12.6% of total flows. The remaining 87.4% went to other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, sorghum exports from Southern Africa rebounded in 2020. The region exported 4 207 thousand US dollars worth of sorghum that year, representing a significant 65.4% increase from 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 34.3%, with an average annual decline of 13.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 543 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 38.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Africa's sorghum exports were distributed across numerous markets. Even the top three destinations—Zimbabwe, Special Categories, and Mozambique—together accounted for only 20.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during these years. They reached their peak in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Africa imported 13 878 tons of sorghum, representing an 81.3% decrease from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 74 050 tons, while the largest increase occurred that same year with a 121.5% surge.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Zimbabwe remained the primary suppliers of sorghum to Southern Africa, together accounting for 80.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import values peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Africa imported 3 690 thousand US dollars worth of sorghum, representing a 77.0% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 79.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (60.5% of import value), Australia (7.9%), and Zimbabwe (0.6%) continued to lead as suppliers of sorghum to Southern Africa, together accounting for 69.0% of total import value.

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

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