Sorghum, scientifically known as Sorghum bicolor, is a versatile, ancient cereal grain belonging to the grass family and famously known as a “climate-smart” crop due to its incredible survival traits. Sorghum offers a wide range of nutrients, health benefits, cultivation potential, and diverse global uses.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), worldwide Sorghum production reached 63.07 million metric tons in the marketing year (MY) 2025/2026. Environmental factors, temperature, water availability, soil conditions, agronomic practices, and sunlight often affect sorghum production levels.
The article includes production data for 10 leading sorghum-producing countries, including annual output, yield, and area harvested, along with comparisons to their past production levels.
The 10 largest sorghum-producing nations are listed below:
Annual production volume and % contribution to global output of 10 leading producers of sorghum (USDA)
| Country | Total Production (Metric Tons) | % Share of Global Production |
|---|---|---|
 United States | 11.1 Million | 17.6% |
 Brazil | 7 Million | 11.1% |
 Nigeria | 6.5 Million | 10.3% |
 India | 4.36 Million | 6.9% |
 Ethiopia | 3.9 Million | 6.2% |
 Mexico | 3.4 Million | 5.4% |
 China | 3.1 Million | 4.9% |
 Sudan | 3 Million | 4.8% |
 Australia | 2.5 Million | 4% |
 Argentina | 2.4 Million | 3.8% |
1. United States
The annual sorghum output of the United States stands at 11.1 million metric tons for the 2025/2026 marketing year (September-August), placing the country first globally with a 17.6% share in worldwide production. According to the USDA, the country harvested 2.4 million hectares of land for sorghum production, which resulted in an average crop yield of 4.555 metric tons per hectare (MT/HA).
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 9.29 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.94%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 8.73 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 27%
2. Brazil
Brazil produced an estimated 7 million metric tons of sorghum in MY 2025/2026. The country contributed 11.1% to the global sorghum output, making it the world's second-largest producer. Brazil’s annual crop yield in 2025/2026 was nearly 3.1818 MT/HA, and the harvest covered 2.2 million hectares.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 3.62 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 14%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 6.1 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 15%
3. Nigeria
With a total output of 6.5 million metric tons in MY 2025/2026, Nigeria is the third-largest sorghum producer. Globally, it accounted for approximately 10.3% of sorghum output. Nigeria harvested 5.3 million hectares for sorghum production, yielding 1.2218 MT/HA.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 6.73 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -1%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 6.42 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 1%
4. India
In the 2025/2026 marketing year, India was responsible for 6.9% of the world’s sorghum production, with annual output reaching 4.36 million metric tons. India’s fields yielded 1.2277 metric tons per hectare of sorghum from 3.5 million hectares of harvested land.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 4.44 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.47%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 4.96 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -12%
5. Ethiopia
Ethiopia emerged as the fifth-largest sorghum producer, with a total production level of 3.9 million metric tons, representing a 6.2% share of global output in MY 2025/2026. From nearly 1.6 hectares of harvested land, Ethiopia yielded 2.4375 metric tons per hectare of sorghum.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 4.42 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -2%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 4.1 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -5%
6. Mexico
In the current marketing year, Mexico produced 3.4 million metric tons of sorghum and globally contributed a 5.4% share of the overall output. The sorghum harvest area in Mexico was observed by the USDA to be around 1,00,000 hectares in 2025/2026. Mexico’s yield of sorghum for the same marketing year is 3.4 MT/HA.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 4.44 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -3%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 4.16 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -18%
7. China
China's 650,000 hectares of fields generated 3.1 million metric tons of sorghum, making up 4.9% of global production in MY 2025/2026. The world’s seventh-largest producer of sorghum yielded 4.7692 MT/HA.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 2.93 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 3%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 3 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 3%
8. Sudan
At 3 million metric tons, Sudan holds the eighth position as the largest sorghum producer in the world. The nation’s annual harvested area was estimated at 6 million hectares, with a yield of 0.5 MT/HA. Sudan’s sorghum output accounts for 4.8% of total production in the world.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 4.26 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -7%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 3.3 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -9%
9. Australia
Australia's sorghum production level reached 2.5 million metric tons on a harvested area of 650,000 hectares in the marketing year MY (March-February) 2025/2026. Globally, Australia contributed 4% of overall sorghum output. The annual sorghum crop yield in the same marketing year is around 3.8462 MT/HA.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 1.81 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 10%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 2.69 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -7%
10. Argentina
In the current marketing year 2025/2026 (March-February), Argentina's sorghum output is 2.4 million metric tons, and the yield is 4.1739 MT/HA. The country’s annual harvested area for sorghum production was around 575,000 hectares. Overall, Argentina’s sorghum production volume made up 3.8% of the world’s total production.
- 10-Year production figures (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 2.31 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.51%
- Previous-year sorghum production stats:
- Average production: 2.85 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -16%
