10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Sorghum
10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Sorghum– According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2024, there are 10 World’s Biggest Sorghum Producers in 2022. This plant is usually planted in African Region and can be processed into miscellaneous products.
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is native to East Africa in the Abessinia, Ethiopia, and surrounding areas which was originally “grown” in the dry climates of eastern Ethiopia African continent sea, about 7,000 years ago (Vavilov 1926). From time to time, this plant become cosmopolitan because it spread throughout the world. Basically, sorghum is an annual crop that is drought tolerant and does not require a lot of water during its growth.
Taxonomically, based on Soreng et al., 2017 in his journal entitled “A worldwide phylogenetic classification of the Poaceae (Gramineae) II: An update and a comparison of two 2015 classifications”, these plants is included Kingdom: Plantae; Clade: Angiosperms; Clade: Monocots; Order: Poales; Family: Poaceae; Subfamily: Panicoideae; Supertribe: Andropogonodae; Tribe: Andropogoneae; Subtribe: Saccharinae; Genus: Sorghum Moench 1794.
The World’s Production, Harvested Areas, and Yield of Sorghum From 1980 to 2022
| Years | World’s Harvested Areas | World’s Production | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Hectares) | (Tons) | (Tons / Hectare) | |
| 1980 | 44,029,499 | 57,238,175 | 1.300 |
| 1981 | 45,869,250 | 73,278,504 | 1.598 |
| 1982 | 45,610,554 | 68,612,246 | 1.504 |
| 1983 | 44,519,102 | 61,992,055 | 1.392 |
| 1984 | 47,807,063 | 70,701,326 | 1.479 |
| 1985 | 50,844,631 | 77,567,338 | 1.526 |
| 1986 | 48,774,936 | 69,150,519 | 1.418 |
| 1987 | 45,979,492 | 65,251,842 | 1.419 |
| 1988 | 46,197,341 | 63,135,742 | 1.367 |
| 1989 | 44,767,756 | 59,079,269 | 1.320 |
| 1990 | 41,589,901 | 56,806,999 | 1.366 |
| 1991 | 42,838,981 | 55,547,417 | 1.297 |
| 1992 | 46,134,113 | 70,545,494 | 1.529 |
| 1993 | 42,155,920 | 56,951,239 | 1.351 |
| 1994 | 44,098,013 | 60,019,782 | 1.361 |
| 1995 | 42,444,912 | 54,726,849 | 1.289 |
| 1996 | 46,802,344 | 71,409,140 | 1.526 |
| 1997 | 45,236,414 | 59,849,951 | 1.323 |
| 1998 | 43,136,472 | 61,400,347 | 1.423 |
| 1999 | 41,826,504 | 60,044,781 | 1.436 |
| 2000 | 41,125,490 | 55,820,957 | 1.357 |
| 2001 | 43,615,481 | 59,789,791 | 1.371 |
| 2002 | 41,325,943 | 53,442,776 | 1.293 |
| 2003 | 44,234,307 | 58,852,688 | 1.330 |
| 2004 | 40,419,832 | 58,090,236 | 1.437 |
| 2005 | 46,439,997 | 59,557,660 | 1.282 |
| 2006 | 43,352,541 | 57,702,252 | 1.331 |
| 2007 | 44,860,512 | 62,756,585 | 1.399 |
| 2008 | 45,172,236 | 66,350,263 | 1.469 |
| 2009 | 40,741,660 | 56,742,238 | 1.393 |
| 2010 | 42,174,299 | 60,181,380 | 1.427 |
| 2011 | 42,208,379 | 56,807,955 | 1.346 |
| 2012 | 39,261,952 | 57,320,937 | 1.460 |
| 2013 | 43,905,357 | 61,894,856 | 1.410 |
| 2014 | 44,661,817 | 68,300,902 | 1.529 |
| 2015 | 41,833,033 | 65,939,162 | 1.576 |
| 2016 | 44,619,621 | 63,385,842 | 1.421 |
| 2017 | 41,104,213 | 57,593,408 | 1.401 |
| 2018 | 42,027,815 | 60,032,259 | 1.428 |
| 2019 | 39,204,873 | 56,705,929 | 1.446 |
| 2020 | 39,628,192 | 58,920,811 | 1.487 |
| 2021 | 40,925,310 | 61,364,997 | 1.499 |
| 2022 40,762,472 57,581,942 1.24 Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 | |||
Commonly, based on the worldwide database from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Sorghum relatively stable from time to time. In 1980, the production of sorghum reached 57 million tonnes with harvested areas around 44 million hectares (Ha). Meanwhile in 2022, the production of Sorgum reached 57 million tonnes with harvested areas around 40 million hectares (ha). Furthermore, the yield of sorghum is aroun 1.1- 1.5 tonnes per hectare.
Meanwhile, based on continent in 2022, the production of sorfghum was concentrated in Africa and Americas region with production around 29 million tonnes and 16 million tons, respectively. In addition, Asia, Europe, and Oceania is the next position with production around 8.2 million tonnes, 724 thousand tonnes, and 2.6 million tons, respectively.
The Production of Sorghum Based on Continent in 2022
| Continent | Production of Sorghum in 2022 |
|---|---|
| (Tons) | |
| Africa | 29,565,398 |
| Americas | 16,373,193 |
| Asia | 8,266,164 |
| Europe | 724,234 |
| Oceania | 2,652,954 |
Source :FAOSTAT, 2024 | |
Based on the country level, there are 10 world’s biggest Sorghum Producers. Here is the rank of biggest country producers of Sorghum in 2022. This data was obtained from FAO Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2024.
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Sorghum
| Ranks | Country | Production of Sorghum in 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | Nigeria | 6,806,370 |
| 2 | Sudan | 5,248,000 |
| 3 | United States of America | 4,769,960 |
| 4 | Mexico | 4,754,169 |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 4,200,000 |
| 6 | India | 4,150,570 |
| 7 | China | 3,180,000 |
| 8 | Brazil | 2,923,318 |
| 9 | Argentina | 2,883,301 |
| 10 | Australia | 2,648,069 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2024 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World's Biggest Country Producers of Sorghum
1. Nigeria
Nigeria is the world's biggest sorghum producer in 2022. Based on the FAO Statistical Database, the production of Nigeria’s Sorghum reaches 6.8 million tons. Geographically, Nigeria’s sorghum comes from Bauchi, Borno, Zamfara Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Sokoto, Katsina, and Nasarawa. Statistically, the total of the Sorghum area is about 5.6 million hectares. In this country, sorghum has miscellaneous usages especially for the production of Malt, Beer, Beer powder, Sorghum meal, Sorghum rice, and Livestock feed.
2. Sudan
Sudan is the world's 2nd biggest Country in Sorghum Production. Statistically, Sudan’s Sorghum reaches 5.2 million tons according to FAO Statistical Corporate Database. Geographically, in Sudan, there are some states of sorghum production. Gadarif State (eastern Sudan) is the most important region for sorghum production that around 5-6 million feddans (1 Feddan = 0.420 Hectares) are cultivated on Sorghum.
3. United States of America
The United States of America (USA) is the 3rd world's biggest producer of sorghum in 2022. In that year, the production of Sorghum reaches 4.76 million tons. In these stars and stripes countries, there are some states with centers of sorghum productions. These are Kansas with a cultivation area reach 3 million acres, followed by Texas with a cultivation area reach 1.8 million acres, Colorado with a cultivation area reach 370,000 acres, Oklahoma with 305,000 acres, and South Dakota with 210,000 acres.
4. Mexico
Mexico is the 4th biggest country of Sorghum Producers. Based on the FAO Statistical Database in 2022, the production of Sorghum in Mexico reaches 4.75 million tons. Geographically, Sorghum cultivation are spread in some states in Mexico. Statistically, the main state of sorghum is in Tamaulipas, Sinaloa and Guanajuato.
5. Ethiopia
Ethiopia became the 5th of biggest sorghum producers. Based on FAO Statistical Database in 2022, the Sorghum production from Ethiopia reach 4.2 million tons. Geographically, sorghum is cultivated in some main states, namely Oromiya, Amhara, and Tigray. Overall, these states account for nearly 90% of total national production. Structurally, over 95% of sorghum in Ethiopia is cultivated by small farmers. In this country, sorghum is consumed in form of a traditional food called Enjera, Nifro (boiled grain), Genfo (porridge), and soups and local drinks such as Tella, Areke, and Borde/Cheka.
6. India
India is the 6th biggest producer of Sorghum in the world. Overall, the production of Sorghum in 2022 reached 4.1 million tons according to FAO Statistical Database. Geographically, there are some states in India that have the biggest production to the national Sorghum of India. These states are Maharashtra 1,8 million ton or contribute 37.88 % of national production, followed by Karnataka with production reach 986 thousand tons or contribute around 20.68% of national production, Tamil Nadu with the production of 520 thousand ton or contribute 10% of national production, and Rajasthan 455 thousand ton or contribute 9.5% to national production.
7. China, mainland
China is the 7th biggest country in Sorghum Production. Statistically, the production of Sorghum in Mao Zedong’s Country reach 3 million tons. Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Sichuan, and Guizhou are some states that base production of Sorghum in China. Statistically, Jilin contributes around 33% of Sorghum production, followed by Inner Mongolia with 16%, Heilongjiang with 10%, Liaoning with 9%, and Sichuan and Guizhou contribute with 7%, respectively.
8. Brazil
Brazil is the 8th biggest producer of Sorghum. According to the FAO Statistical database, the production of Sorghum in 2022 reached 2.9 million tons. Geographically, there are some states in Brazil that become a primary area of Sorghum cultivation. These states are Sao Paulo with an cultivation area of 56,540 hectares, the Rio Grande do Sul with a growing area of 91,000 hectares, Mato Grosso with an area of 4,583 hectares, and Goiás with an area of 15,000 hectares.
9. Argentina
Argentina is the 9th biggest producer of Sorghum in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Sorghum from Argentina reached 2.8 million tons. Geograhically, in Argentina, the cultivation of Sorghum can be found in Buenos Aires, Entre Rios, Santa Fe, Cordoba, and Santiago del Estero.
10. Australia
Australia is the 10th biggest producers of Sorghum in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Sorghum Australia reached 2.6 million tons. Geographically, in Australia, the main region of Sorghum can be found mostly in Queensland .
Bibliography 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Sorghum
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Vavilov, N.I. 1926. Studies on the origin of cultivated plants. Bull. Appl. Bot. 16(2):248.
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