SADC: Sorghum Market 2025

Sorghum Market Size in SADC

The SADC sorghum market totaled $X in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. The total consumption indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -2.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Sorghum Production in SADC

In value terms, sorghum production expanded notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -6.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 59%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of sorghum production was Tanzania (X tons), accounting for 59% of total volume. Moreover, sorghum production in Tanzania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, South Africa (X tons), sixfold. Mozambique (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.4% share.

In Tanzania, sorghum production increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: South Africa (+3.3% per year) and Mozambique (+0.8% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of sorghum in SADC shrank modestly to X kg per ha, which is down by -1.8% against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the yield increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the sorghum yield attained the peak level at X kg per ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The sorghum harvested area contracted to X ha in 2022, remaining stable against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Sorghum Exports

Exports in SADC

Sorghum exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, surging by 27% against 2021 figures. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sorghum exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Tanzania (X tons) was the main exporter of sorghum, achieving 57% of total exports. South Africa (X tons) held a 34% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (4.9%). Botswana (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +30.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest sorghum supplying countries in SADC were Tanzania ($X), South Africa ($X) and Botswana ($X), with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +34.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, growing by 15% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 36% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sorghum Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, overseas purchases of sorghum were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 116%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sorghum imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Botswana represented the main importer of sorghum in SADC, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 46% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Zimbabwe (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Madagascar (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons), together comprising a 51% share of total imports. South Africa (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +37.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Botswana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sorghum in SADC, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 13% share.

In Botswana, sorghum imports decreased by an average annual rate of -8.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zimbabwe (+28.4% per year) and Tanzania (+31.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 34% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform