Sorghum market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

Tanzania's sorghum market volume rose from 672 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 781 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by a series of government interventions aimed at boosting cereal production. The introduction of the Agricultural Trade Management Information System (ATMIS) and supportive fiscal reviews provided a framework for expansion. A major increase in the agriculture budget, which tripled from Sh294 billion to Sh1.2 trillion over four years, alongside large-scale fertilizer subsidy programs investing over Sh400 billion, directly enhanced farm productivity and sorghum yields.

After 2021, the market contracted, falling to 710 thousand tons by 2023. During this period, state support continued through policies focusing on agricultural resilience, infrastructure development like irrigation, and the sustained operation of ATMIS. The government also implemented reforms to improve the business climate and rolled out training for farmers on good agricultural practices. In 2024, these efforts were further codified with the launch of the Tanzania Fertilizer and Soil Health Strategy (2024-2030) and new budget allocations for irrigation and subsidized seedlings, aiming to strengthen cereal production systems.

Production sorghum in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania ranked as the 18th largest sorghum producer in the world.

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

Sorghum production in Tanzania increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Tanzania produced 750 K t of sorghum, reflecting a modest gain of 2.5% compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 672 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 11.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 8.9%.

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

Exports sorghum from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export levels fluctuated dramatically, with a 19-fold difference between the low of 2018 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Tanzania exported 11 350 t of sorghum, marking a sharp increase of 65.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 594 t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 1,058.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda, Kenya, and Burundi dominated Tanzania's sorghum export structure in kind. Uganda accounted for 53.3% of exports, Kenya for 24.0%, and Burundi for 20.0%, together representing 97.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values showed extreme fluctuations, with a 104-fold amplitude between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018. In 2020, Tanzania's sorghum export volume totaled 4 214 K $ US, up by 389.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 222 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 99.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Kenya was the central partner in Tanzania's sorghum export structure in value terms, accounting for 82.7% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports sorghum to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend during this timeframe. Import levels varied significantly, with a 56,613-fold difference between the low of 2018 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Tanzania's sorghum import volumes amounted to 12 002 t, showing a strong advance of 23.6% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 t, which also saw the largest decline of 100.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a remarkable surge of 4,581,293.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda remained the almost exclusive supplier of sorghum to Tanzania in kind, holding a share of 93.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values fluctuated widely, with a 5,486-fold difference between the low of 2018 and the high of 2017. In 2020, Tanzania imported 640 K $ US of sorghum, equivalent to a slight drop of 1.8% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 100.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 530,249.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, two countries—Uganda and South Africa—concentrated most of Tanzania's sorghum imports in value terms, while other markets were individually less important.

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

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