U.S.: Sorghum Market 2025

Sorghum Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. sorghum market fell to $X in 2022, waning by -8.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a noticeable decline. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Sorghum Production in the U.S.

In value terms, sorghum production rose slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of sorghum in the United States rose to X tons per ha in 2022, picking up by 2.7% on 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average sorghum yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the 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 harvested area of sorghum in the United States declined to X ha, shrinking by -10.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total harvested area indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sorghum harvested area increased by +23.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sorghum production reached the maximum at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sorghum Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, sorghum exports from the United States contracted to X tons, shrinking by -2.6% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 162% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sorghum exports expanded notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 203%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for sorghum exports from the United States, accounting for a 83% share of total exports. Moreover, sorghum exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mexico (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Sudan (X tons), with a 2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to China totaled +31.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (-12.0% per year) and Sudan (+2.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for sorghum exports from the United States, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mexico ($X), with a 6.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Spain, with a 2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China totaled +38.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (-10.0% per year) and Spain (+54.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sorghum export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 14% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sorghum export price increased by +86.5% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Japan ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) and Sudan ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sorghum Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2022, approx. X tons of sorghum were imported into the United States; declining by -51.4% compared with the year before. In general, imports recorded a sharp curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 2,978%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sorghum imports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, imports faced a dramatic contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 2,542% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) constituted the largest sorghum supplier to the United States, accounting for a 39% share of total imports. Moreover, sorghum imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Chile (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Argentina amounted to -41.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+40.8% per year) and Chile (+238.0% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Chile ($X) and Canada ($X) constituted the largest sorghum suppliers to the United States, with a combined 73% share of total imports.

Chile, with a CAGR of +255.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sorghum import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 269% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+15.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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