China: Sorghum Market 2025

Sorghum Market Size in China

In 2022, the Chinese sorghum market increased by 13% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. In general, consumption enjoyed a strong expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Sorghum Production in China

In value terms, sorghum production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a mild expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 176%. Sorghum production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of sorghum in China skyrocketed to X tons per ha in 2022, rising by 26% compared with 2021. Overall, the yield indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sorghum yield decreased by -26.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 66%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the average sorghum yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of sorghum production in China shrank markedly to X ha, dropping by -21% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. The sorghum harvested area peaked at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sorghum Exports

Exports from China

In 2022, overseas shipments of sorghum decreased by -1.1% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports recorded a dramatic setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 210% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sorghum exports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, exports faced a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 191% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Korea (X tons) was the main destination for sorghum exports from China, accounting for a 52% share of total exports. Moreover, sorghum exports to South Korea exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Japan (X tons), more than tenfold. Chile (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 2.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to South Korea amounted to -9.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (-4.5% per year) and Chile (+49.5% per year).

In value terms, South Korea ($X) remains the key foreign market for sorghum exports from China, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($X), with a 7.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to South Korea totaled -5.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+3.8% per year) and Malaysia (+9.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sorghum export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 3.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 86%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Japan (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sorghum Imports

Imports into China

In 2022, overseas purchases of sorghum increased by 7.7% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. Overall, imports saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 1,356%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sorghum imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 1,483%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest sorghum supplier to China, accounting for a 62% share of total imports. Moreover, sorghum imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States stood at +290.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+401.0% per year) and Australia (+37.7% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sorghum to China, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with an 18% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States amounted to +313.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+426.1% per year) and Australia (+39.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sorghum import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 15% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sorghum import price increased by +80.2% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 34%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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