Export drop linked to tariffs as China shifts sorghum buying patterns
In 2025, the United States remained a major global producer of grain sorghum, recording 10.2 million metric tons (MMT). Kansas continued to lead the country with 5.8 MMT, followed by Texas with 2.64 MMT.
Other key producing states included Colorado with 497 thousand metric tons, Nebraska with 494 thousand metric tons, and Oklahoma with 479 thousand metric tons. Aside from a challenging year in 2022, U.S. sorghum production has averaged 9.35 MMT annually, reflecting strong growing conditions across central states.
The United States is also the world’s largest sorghum exporter, followed by Australia and Argentina. In 2024, U.S. exports reached 5.24 MMT worth $1.38 billion. China has consistently been the top buyer, purchasing more than 83 percent of U.S. exported sorghum between 2020 and 2024. During this period, exports to China carried an FOB value between $1.32 and $2.14 billion. In 2024 alone, China imported 4.63 MMT worth $1.23 billion. Other importers, including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Djibouti, bought smaller amounts, none exceeding 20 thousand metric tons annually.
However, the ongoing tariff war in 2025 has led to a significant decline in U.S. sorghum exports. By July, only 82 thousand metric tons had been exported, compared to more than 3.24 MMT during the same period in 2024. This represented an 80 percent drop, with shipments to China falling by 97 percent.
To meet its needs, China shifted purchases toward Australia and Argentina, similar to the decline seen in 2018 and 2019. Sorghum trade revived in 2020 after the U.S.–China “Phase One” Deal, and current trade discussions show potential for renewed exports to China.
The global sorghum market continues to evolve, and U.S. producers are watching closely as agreements develop. A positive outcome could help restore access to one of the nation’s most important export destinations.
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