Market research

Sorghum market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the sorghum market in Sub-Saharan Africa remained largely defined by small-scale, extensive farming practices, which characterize much of the region's production. The market volume saw a recovery in 2020, reaching 24.7 million tonnes. This growth coincided with a broader global surge in interest for sorghum as a drought- and heat-resistant cereal, a trend highlighted by a significant 40% expansion of sorghum acreage in France and increased cultivation across Europe, reflecting adaptation to climate change.

Market volume then contracted to 22.2 million tonnes by 2023. During this period, specific national developments provided counterpoints to the overall trend. In Senegal, cereal production grew by nearly 10% in the 2023/2024 season, with sorghum accounting for 9% of the total, supported by increased cultivated area. Concurrently, global demand for sorghum for food use continued its upward trajectory, driven notably by production in Sudan, which helped underpin the regional market.

By 2024, Nigeria solidified its position as the dominant regional player, holding an estimated 32% market share, aided by developed agricultural infrastructure and increasing adoption of improved hybrid seeds. The market also experienced localized price pressures, such as in South Sudan, where sorghum prices rose sharply due to currency depreciation and logistical disruptions. These factors illustrate the ongoing evolution of the sorghum landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sorghum in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In Sub-Saharan Africa, sorghum production reached 24 574 K t in 2020, representing a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.6%, while the strongest growth was recorded in 2018 with a 6.7% increase.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.7%	(1.6%)	3.5%	2.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of sorghum production in Sub-Saharan Africa was 8 613 M $ US in 2020, showing a moderate year-on-year increase of 5.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 19.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The highest value was achieved in 2018 at 9 347 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.6% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 29.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.3%	(12.6%)	5.4%	6.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sorghum from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Sorghum exports from Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 153.6 K t of sorghum, marking a controlled 3.8% improvement compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 92.9 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 38.8% decrease, while the strongest growth was in 2019 with a 59.3% increase.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(38.8%)	59.3%	3.8%	0.4%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Sorghum exports from Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 53.8 M $ US, reflecting a modest 5.7% uptick from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 36.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 25.9% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 41.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(25.9%)	41.5%	5.7%	3.5%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sorghum to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, sorghum imports to Sub-Saharan Africa totaled 272.0 K t, showing a dramatic 35.7% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 60.3%, with an average annual decline rate of 26.5%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 39.8% decrease, while the only increase was recorded in 2019 with a modest 2.5% growth.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(39.8%)	2.5%	(35.7%)	(26.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Sudan, and Italy were the leading sources of sorghum imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms. The United States accounted for 45.8% of imports, Sudan for 20.5%, and Italy for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 75.3% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Sorghum imports to Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 139.3 M $ US, indicating a 15.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 44.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(29.4%)	(8.0%)	(15.2%)	(18.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Italy, and Sudan consistently held leading positions in the value structure of sorghum imports to Sub-Saharan Africa. The United States accounted for 48.0% of import value, Italy for 16.9%, and Sudan for 15.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io