Brazil Sorghum Output Surges as China Exports and Ethanol Demand Grow

Brazil's sorghum output has surged in recent years, driven by growing demand from China and increasing use in ethanol production. According to Daniel Rosa, a director at the Brazilian Association of Corn and Sorghum Producers (Abramilho), Brazil produced around 6 million metric tons of sorghum last year and is expected to reach about 7.5 million tons this year.

Goiás leads production with approximately 2 million tons, followed by Minas Gerais with around 1.4 million tons, according to Abramilho data. The crop's growth is also spreading beyond its traditional producing regions, with Matopiba emerging as a new frontier for sorghum production.

The opening of the Chinese market has been a significant factor in Brazil's increasing exports. In 2024, Brazil exported around 180,000 metric tons to China, and this year's shipments have already surpassed that total. According to Anec, Brazil's grain exporters association, shipments could reach 1 million tons during September.

The biofuels industry is also driving demand for sorghum in Brazil. Four ethanol plants have been identified as processing both corn and sorghum, with one industrial advantage being that corn ethanol plants can be adapted to process sorghum with relatively minor changes.