Sorghum market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in Southern Europe, led by Italy, began the period at a high volume of 1 035.2 thousand tonnes in 2018, but then contracted over the following two years. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp drop in imports, which fell from 691.7 thousand tonnes to 219.5 thousand tonnes by 2020. However, during this phase, domestic production grew steadily, supported by a significant expansion of sorghum cultivation areas across the EU. This expansion, with reported increases of 15-20% for grain sorghum, was fueled by the crop's lower water requirements, reduced production costs compared to corn, and its appeal as a more sustainable alternative, as highlighted by European research programs like Eurosorgho.

Market volume fell further to a low of 395.1 thousand tonnes in 2021. A rebound occurred in 2022, with the market growing to 512.8 thousand tonnes, linked to increased domestic production and demand within Italy, where sorghum's drought resistance made it an attractive and cost-effective crop for farmers. The following year, despite the introduction of new high-yield hybrid varieties by companies like Advanta Seeds, designed to improve productivity in arid conditions, the overall market volume decreased again to 365.2 thousand tonnes in 2023. This was largely due to another substantial reduction in imported volumes.

Entering 2024, the market focus remained on enhancing domestic supply through agricultural innovation. Major seed companies, including Corteva Agriscience, expanded their sorghum breeding programs with new experimental hybrids aimed at improving pest resistance and drought tolerance. While prices for domestic sorghum moderated and livestock demand was reported as subdued, the underlying trend of interest in sorghum as a resilient and sustainable crop continued to shape the market's evolution.

Production sorghum in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Sorghum production in Southern Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe produced 411.3 K t of sorghum, marking a 12.7% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 47.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.7%.

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

Exports sorghum from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Southern Europe's sorghum export volume increased in 2020. The region exported 3.9 K t of sorghum that year, up by 57.4% year-over-year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2.5 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 31.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for sorghum in kind was diverse. France accounted for 10.6% of exports in kind, Germany for 5.3%, and Belgium for 2.9%, together making up just 18.8% of total flows. The remaining 81.2% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exported sorghum volumes from Southern Europe reached 4.5 M $ US in 2020, representing a significant increase of 88.0% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1.8 M $ US, with the largest decline of 25.2% also occurring that year. The peak-to-trough amplitude from 2018 to 2020 was 2.6 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Hungary played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of sorghum from Southern Europe in value terms. France accounted for 26.5% of exports in value, Germany for 11.0%, and Hungary for 5.9%, with their combined share reaching 43.4% of total exports.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Sorghum deliveries to Southern Europe stood at 219.5 K t in 2020, showing a sharp decrease of 47.8% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 691.7 K t, with the largest increase of 130.9% also occurring that year. The variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2020 was 3.2-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Ukraine were the main sources for sorghum imports in kind to Southern Europe. The United States accounted for 39.5% of imports in kind, France for 21.7%, and Ukraine for 20.2%, together representing 81.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2020, sorghum volumes in Southern Europe amounted to 51.2 M $ US, which is 55.2% less year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 137.3 M $ US, with the largest increase of 125.5% also in that year. Imports varied by 2.7-fold from the high in 2018 to the low in 2020.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States, France, and Ukraine were the primary markets for sorghum imports in value terms to Southern Europe. The United States accounted for 49.4% of imports in value, France for 20.0%, and Ukraine for 15.0%, together making up 84.4% of total flows.

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

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