By Jamie Martin
Grain sorghum continued to be an important crop in 2025, with the United States producing 10.2 million metric tons (MMT). Kansas remained the largest producing state, contributing 5.8 MMT, followed by Texas at 2.64 MMT. Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma added nearly half a million metric tons each. Excluding the low-production year of 2022, the nation has averaged 9.35 MMT of sorghum every year, making it one of the most reliable crops in the central and southern Plains.
The U.S. is also the world’s leading sorghum exporter. In 2024, it shipped 5.24 MMT valued at $1.38 billion. China has long been the main buyer, importing more than 83 percent of U.S. sorghum between 2020 and 2024. During those years, the value of these exports ranged from $1.32 to $2.14 billion. In 2024, China alone purchased 4.63 MMT worth $1.23 billion. Other countries such as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Djibouti bought smaller quantities, each importing under 20 thousand metric tons annually.
The trade situation changed sharply in 2025 due to the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and China. By July, U.S. sorghum exports totaled only 82 thousand metric tons, compared to over 3.24 MMT in the same period of 2024. This marked an 80 percent decline overall, with exports to China down 97 percent.
To meet its needs, China shifted to buying sorghum from Australia and Argentina, which expanded their presence in the global market. A similar decline occurred in 2018 and 2019, but trade improved following the 2020 U.S.–China “Phase One” Deal.
Recent agreements between both countries suggest that access to the Chinese market may improve again. For U.S. farmers and exporters, renewed demand from China would provide a major boost to the sorghum industry and restore balance in global trade flows.
Grain sorghum continued to be an important crop in 2025, with the United States producing 10.2 million metric tons (MMT). Kansas remained the largest producing state, contributing 5.8 MMT, followed by Texas at 2.64 MMT. Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma added nearly half a million metric tons each. Excluding the low-production year of 2022, the nation has averaged 9.35 MMT of sorghum every year, making it one of the most reliable crops in the central and southern Plains.
The U.S. is also the world’s leading sorghum exporter. In 2024, it shipped 5.24 MMT valued at $1.38 billion. China has long been the main buyer, importing more than 83 percent of U.S. sorghum between 2020 and 2024. During those years, the value of these exports ranged from $1.32 to $2.14 billion. In 2024, China alone purchased 4.63 MMT worth $1.23 billion. Other countries such as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Djibouti bought smaller quantities, each importing under 20 thousand metric tons annually.
The trade situation changed sharply in 2025 due to the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and China. By July, U.S. sorghum exports totaled only 82 thousand metric tons, compared to over 3.24 MMT in the same period of 2024. This marked an 80 percent decline overall, with exports to China down 97 percent.
To meet its needs, China shifted to buying sorghum from Australia and Argentina, which expanded their presence in the global market. A similar decline occurred in 2018 and 2019, but trade improved following the 2020 U.S.–China “Phase One” Deal.
Recent agreements between both countries suggest that access to the Chinese market may improve again. For U.S. farmers and exporters, renewed demand from China would provide a major boost to the sorghum industry and restore balance in global trade flows.
Photo Credit: istock-mailson-pignata
Categories: National