The 2015 sorghum crop, valued at $1.97 billion, was the largest in nearly 20 years, according to AgWeb.
But its use has been a tad irregular.
Three percent of the crop went to ethanol production compared to the usual 32 percent, and 75 percent of the grain was exported compared to traditional export demand of 35 percent. Small gains were also made in consumer and pet food consumption.
“Based on all the product testing that is currently ongoing for sorghum within key market segments, especially in the snack industry, we expect 2017 to be a breakout year for sorghum in various food sectors,” said Doug Bice, Sorghum Checkoff market development program director.
That’s because sorghum food consumption is up 40 percent from 2014. He noted sorghum is an ingredient in more than 350 products found in grocery stores and could exceed 500 product lines by late 2017 or early 2018.
Another 15 percent of the 2015 crop went to the livestock sector, where it is used as an ingredient for swine, poultry, dairy and beef cattle feed.
“Without question, market opportunities for sorghum have increased in number and strength,” Florentino Lopez, Sorghum Checkoff executive director, said. “Efforts remain to encourage market growth at all levels.”