
Production of grain sorghum in South Africa 2000-2020
As of 2019/2020, the production of grain sorghum in South Africa stood at 155 thousand metric tons. This is roughly a 6.6 percent increase from the preceding year. The highest production was in 2003/2004 with 448 thousand metric tons, representing a 72 percent increase from the previous year. However, three major drops within this period can be observed in 2005/2006, 2010 to 2012 and, 2015/2016. Year 2005/2006 can be linked to the producer prices dropping intensely due to local oversupply along with an increase in the input costs due to a rise in international prices. 2010 to 2012, and 2015/2016 decreases can possibly be attributed to a reduction in precipitation.