Sorghum Exports and the Challenges of Global Competition

By Habeeb Allah Abdel Wahab
International Trade Expert
Agricultural Exports and the Trade Balance
This analysis reviews the performance of Sudan’s major agricultural exports—both livestock (live and processed meat) and crops—over the seven years preceding the war, with a focus on sorghum and its potential to revitalise the country’s export structure.
Despite Sudan’s vast, fertile lands, abundant water resources, and diverse climates, its agricultural exports remain below expectations, never exceeding 50% of the country’s total exports.
A breakdown of Central Bank data for the pre-war years reveals that agricultural exports accounted for approximately 48% of the total export basket, which also included gold, oil, and other commodities.
The average annual export value during this period was USD 3.86 billion, with agricultural exports accounting for USD 1.84 billion. Meat products topped the list, contributing 38%, with an annual average of USD 686 million, while sorghum ranked lowest, contributing only 2%—about USD 37 million annually.
Impact of War on the Agricultural Export Structure
The war dealt a severe blow to Sudan’s economy, especially its trade balance. Several key exports—gum arabic, peanuts, and livestock—were disrupted or halted altogether, removing more than 50% of the agricultural export base, equivalent to over USD 1 billion. Many of these products come from conflict-affected regions, where production has become impossible due to insecurity and militia attacks.
The Decline of Sesame Exports
Sesame, which previously accounted for 35% of agricultural exports, has seen its contribution decline by more than 60% compared to previous years. Although most of its production areas remain in safe zones, export costs have risen sharply, coinciding with the emergence of Brazilian sesame in the Chinese market.
In November 2024, China and Brazil signed a historic agreement for the import of high-quality, competitively priced Brazilian sesame. As China is the world’s largest sesame importer—previously reliant on African suppliers, especially Sudan—the Brazilian entry poses a serious long-term challenge to Sudan’s position in the market.
Collapse of the Agricultural Export Structure
Sudan’s agricultural export structure has collapsed due to war and global competition. The loss of livestock, gum arabic, peanuts, and now sesame has significantly weakened the trade balance. The situation demands urgent and coordinated action from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers’ unions, and key agricultural states such as Gedaref, Sennar, Gezira, Blue Nile, and White Nile.
The solution lies in identifying a replacement crop with comparative advantage and high export potential—and sorghum is the most promising candidate.
Sorghum: A Promising Export Commodity
Sudan’s unique and high-quality sorghum production earned it membership in the FAO’s “One Country One Priority Product” initiative in mid-2025—joining 95 nations aiming to promote sustainable, inclusive agricultural systems.
Sorghum holds special economic value:
It is a staple food in Sudan and many other countries.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has purchased Sudanese sorghum in large commercial quantities for years.
Sorghum prices often exceed wheat prices (in markets such as the Black Sea region).
It has a strong position in the global feed grain market due to its nutritional quality.
The previous export ban, however, restricted Sudan’s ability to benefit from this demand.
Sorghum’s Potential to Rebalance the Trade Deficit
According to estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture and the FAO, Sudan’s annual sorghum surplus ranges between 3 and 4 million tonnes. Even under conservative assumptions of a 2-million-tonne exportable surplus, and at an export price of USD 250 per tonne (FOB Port Sudan), sorghum exports could generate USD 500 million annually.
This would raise sorghum’s share in total agricultural exports from 2% to 30%, positioning it alongside sesame and surpassing both gum arabic and peanuts.
If global prices rose to USD 300–400 per tonne, or if exports increased to 4 million tonnes, Sudan’s sorghum could become as valuable as gold exports—a realistic and optimistic outlook.
No Risk of a Domestic Food Shortage
Concerns about a domestic food gap are unfounded because:
Communities that grow sorghum are also its primary consumers, keeping enough reserves (“mouna al-sana”) for their needs.
Urban populations in producing states rely primarily on wheat bread, not sorghum.
Both FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture affirm that production levels are sufficient to meet domestic consumption and export demand.
The Need for a Stable Sorghum Export Policy
A consistent and long-term export policy for sorghum would yield major benefits:
Higher domestic prices would motivate farmers to expand production.
Investor confidence would rise, encouraging large-scale agricultural investment.
Expansion into irrigated schemes and underutilised rain-fed areas would follow.
Stable international supply would strengthen Sudan’s position in global markets.
The livestock and feed industries would benefit from increased availability of by-products.
Both domestic and foreign investors—from smallholders to agribusinesses—are ready to respond if the policy environment is clear and stable.
Long-term stability in export policy would support economic growth and market confidence.
Conclusion
Sudan stands at a crossroads. The collapse of its traditional agricultural exports has left a dangerous gap in the trade balance. Yet, sorghum offers a path forward—a crop with both competitive advantage and international demand.
If managed wisely, with coherent trade and monetary policies, sorghum could transform Sudan’s export landscape, stabilise the foreign exchange market, and revitalise the agricultural economy.
The war is not only fought on the battlefield—it is also fought in the economic arena, where trade balance is a key front that urgently needs reinforcement.

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