China’s Rising Demand for Sorghum Opens New Opportunities for Nigeria’s Farmers
Story: WRITTEN BY UZUH RITA OCTOBER 13,2025
China’s growing appetite for sorghum, a key grain used in animal feed and liquor production, is opening fresh economic opportunities for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
With global supply tightening and Beijing looking to diversify import sources, Nigeria is emerging as a potential supplier thanks to its vast arable land and favourable climate. Agricultural experts say this demand surge could help boost rural incomes, foreign exchange earnings, and food security if properly harnessed.
Sorghum, known locally as guinea corn, is widely cultivated across northern Nigeria — particularly in Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Benue states. However, much of the production has traditionally served local consumption and small-scale industries.
Now, with China turning to Africa amid trade tensions with the United States and droughts affecting its traditional suppliers, demand from Asia’s largest economy is expected to rise significantly.
According to recent reports, Chinese importers purchased over 10 million tonnes of sorghum globally in 2024, making the country the world’s top buyer. Nigeria’s potential to enter that market has sparked renewed interest among local producers and exporters.
Agricultural economist Dr. Aisha Sule said the opportunity could be transformative if Nigeria addresses logistics and quality control challenges.
“China’s pivot towards African sorghum suppliers is a chance for Nigeria to reposition itself in global grain trade,” she noted. “But we must invest in better storage, processing, and export infrastructure to meet international standards.”
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has also identified sorghum as one of the country’s high-value export commodities, particularly for Asian markets. If the right incentives and partnerships are developed, analysts project the sector could earn hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Experts, however, caution that increased exports should not compromise domestic food security. Nigeria still faces supply deficits in key grains due to insecurity in the north and fluctuating weather patterns.
As global demand rises, stakeholders are calling on the federal government to implement supportive policies — including access to credit, improved seedlings, and efficient transport systems — to help farmers scale production sustainably.
If properly managed, China’s hunger for sorghum could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s agricultural exports — positioning the country as a major player in the global grain market while empowering millions of smallholder farmers.
