White Sorghum in Ukraine: Current Overview (2025)
26 / 07 / 2025
Planting & Harvest
White sorghum is sown last, typically in late May to June, once the soil is fully warmed. Harvest begins in late August through mid-September, depending on weather and region.
Cultivated Area & Production Volumes
According to Tridge and IndexBox, cultivated area dropped from 150,000–170,000 ha at peak levels to less than 10,000 ha by 2024. Based on FAO data, Ukraine's production in 2022 was approximately 40,300 tons, down −76.7% year-on-year.
Export Trends (2020–2023)
2023 exports: ~55.8 thousand tons, worth $12.59 million (source: WITS/World Bank).
Yearly comparison: 2022: ~72.4K tons / $17.2 million
2021: ~$13.5 million
2020: ~118.9K tons / $20.9 million
Top export destinations in 2023:
- Romania (~16.3K tons)
- Italy (~12K tons)
- Poland (~6.2K tons)
- Iraq (~7K tons)
- Israel (~3.1K tons)
Domestic Pricing (2025)
Current wholesale prices in Ukraine: 8,000 – 10,000 UAH/ton (~$200–250/ton), closely aligned with corn prices (8,500 – 10,500 UAH/ton).
In the European market:
FCA Ukraine: €0.25/kg (~€250/ton)
Delivered Western Europe: €350–400/ton
Supplies are tight, as many farmers are holding product in hopes of higher prices.
Market Trends & Outlook
Europe (2024–2025):
- Total EU exports of sorghum in 2024: ~390,000 tons, up 56% YoY
- Ukraine holds ~13% of this market (~82K tons), despite declining exports at an average −8.7% annually
Logistics pressure:
Since the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, more exports move through EU “solidarity lanes” (Romania, Danube route), increasing delivery costs and time.
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Summary Table
Indicator Value / Trend
Cultivated area (2024) <10,000 ha (down 15x from peak)
Production (2022) ~40,300 tons (−76.7% YoY)
Exports (2023) ~55.8K tons / $12.6M
Key Buyers Romania, Italy, Poland, Iraq, Israel
Domestic Price (2025) 8,000–10,000 UAH/ton
Comparable Corn Price 8,500–10,500 UAH/ton
EU FCA Price ~€250/ton; Delivered: €350–400/ton
Stock Levels Low; farmers holding for price gains
Key Insights
White sorghum is now a niche crop in Ukraine due to shrinking acreage and reduced production.
Demand is steady from feed manufacturers and gluten-free processors.
Price parity with corn makes it competitive, especially in years of corn shortages or unfavorable weather.
Limited availability creates opportunity for high-margin niche trading, but the market is volatile and highly localized.
Logistical bottlenecks (e.g., port closures, reliance on EU routes) increase time and cost of delivery, especially to Western Europe.
Conclusion
Your original observations are fully confirmed: white sorghum is planted last, harvested in late summer, and sold at prices similar to corn. Estimated domestic availability is 5,000–10,000 tons, consistent with the reduced acreage and export data.
Strategic opportunities exist for:
- Specialized feed and food sectors
- Small-volume traders working with EU buyers
- Supply chain players who can manage transport via alternative routes (e.g., Danube).