By Jamie Martin
The United States recorded sorghum production of 10.2 million metric tons (MMT) in 2025, maintaining its role as a key global supplier. Kansas remained the top producer with 5.8 MMT, followed by Texas at 2.64 MMT. Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma added nearly 500 thousand metric tons each. Except for a low-production year in 2022, national output has averaged 9.35 MMT, showing long-term stability in the crop’s performance.
As the world’s leading sorghum exporter, the United States typically ships more than Australia and Argentina. In 2024, exports totaled 5.24 MMT and were valued at $1.38 billion. China has been the most significant market, receiving over 83 percent of U.S. exports from 2020 to 2024. During these years, the value of sorghum sold to China ranged from $1.32 billion to $2.14 billion. The 2024 export year saw 4.63 MMT of sorghum shipped to China alone, worth $1.23 billion. Other countries, including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Djibouti, purchased smaller amounts but did not exceed 20 thousand metric tons annually.
The year 2025 brought major export challenges. The ongoing tariff war led to a sharp decrease in shipments, with only 82 thousand metric tons exported by July. This was significantly lower than the 3.24 MMT exported during the same period in 2024. Overall exports were down 80 percent, while sales to China dropped by 97 percent. Increased purchases from Australia and Argentina filled part of the demand gap left by the United States.
A similar decline occurred in 2018 and 2019, but exports rebounded after the “Phase One” agreement in 2020. A new agreement reached in 2025 may again help reopen the Chinese market for U.S. sorghum, offering hope for improved trade balance. As conditions evolve, producers, exporters, and policymakers continue monitoring the situation to support market stability.
Photo Credit: istock-mailson-pignata
Categories: National