Sorghum Market Development

Technical Document: Market Development Projects

Where can I buy sorghum?
Commercial Grain Exporters

Where can I buy DDGs (Distillers Grains)?
DDGs Suppliers

The market development arm of the United Sorghum Checkoff program is working to increase the demand for sorghum across a broad spectrum of industries.

Of today’s U.S. sorghum crop, 30 to 35 percent is used in grain-based ethanol production. This number has increased exponentially over the years, as the historical average ethanol use is only about 16 percent. Sorghum produces the same amount of ethanol per bushel as corn and the Sorghum Checkoff is working to ensure that ethanol plants are aware of the versatility of this feedstock. Co-products (DDGs) of the sorghum-to-ethanol process have great potential to enter other sectors of the sorghum market.

Approximately 45 percent of sorghum is exported. Sorghum’s main export customer is Mexico, but sorghum has also been sold into the European Union and is commonly exported to Asia.

Historically, about 40 percent of sorghum is used for livestock feed. Sorghum is fed to beef and dairy cattle, swine and poultry. USCP is working closely with dairies to remind them of forage sorghum’s nutritional qualities.

A small amount of sorghum is used for human consumption as a growing number of Americans are diagnosed with gluten intolerance and flock to this mild, neutral, gluten-free grain for its health benefits and versatility in baking.