As trade tensions with China resurface, U.S. sorghum producers are bracing for impact and also looking ahead to new opportunities.
Amy France, chair of the board of directors with National Sorghum Producers, says the sorghum sector is once again facing trade pressures — challenges that feel familiar but come with a new level of financial stress for producers.
With 80 to 90 per cent of U.S. sorghum exports historically heading to China, the market is no stranger to disruptions. However, the financial resilience of producers has changed since the last major trade standoff in 2018, and that’s adding urgency to the current situation. France notes that with harvest beginning as early as July in southern Texas, producers need market clarity — and they need it fast. Story continues after the video.
While China remains a key player, the sorghum industry has been working to diversify its trade relationships, with a particular focus on India. France points to years of investment in relationship-building and trade missions to educate Indian buyers on how sorghum fits into their poultry feed systems.
With India’s population growth and demand for non-GMO grain, sorghum has a unique edge in that market. Efforts to promote ethanol use — where sorghum can be blended with corn — are also underway.
Back home, sorghum is seeing steady to increasing acres in regions facing water scarcity, thanks to its drought tolerance. New partnerships with groups like Ducks Unlimited and Dairy Farmers of America are expanding its role as a sustainable forage option. While it may be a smaller crop, the sorghum industry continues to adapt and pivot quickly, finding opportunities to support producers in an evolving global marketplace.
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