Analysis of the production of sorghum in Ukraine and worldwide
Abstract
The article presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of the production of common two-color sorghum in Ukraine and worldwide for 2000–2024. The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of sown areas, yields, and gross harvests, determine the regional structure of world production, and justify the prospects for expanding the crop in Ukraine in the context of climate change. The information base was formed using data from FAOSTAT and USDA; methods of economic-statistical, structural, and comparative analysis were applied. It was established that global sorghum acreage during the study period fluctuated between 39.4 and 46.1 million hectares, and gross production in 2023 amounted to about 60 million tons. The largest share of production falls on Africa (42%), America (37%), and Asia (16%), which indicates the concentration of the crop in regions with arid and semiarid conditions. In Ukraine, the area under cultivation fluctuated: from 14–36 thousand hectares in the early 2000s to a maximum of 136.9 thousand hectares in 2012, followed by a decline to 13.9–14.5 thousand hectares in 2023–2024. Yields increased from 1.0–1.3 t/ha in 2000–2003 to 3.0–4.5 t/ha in 2015–2024, with a maximum of 4.53 t/ha (2018). The gross harvest reached 354.4 thousand tons (2013), confirming the existence of established production potential. It has been proven that in conditions of rising average annual temperatures and uneven precipitation, sorghum is of strategic importance for the agricultural sector of Ukraine. The drought resistance and adaptability of the crop create the conditions for expanding its cultivation not only in the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones, but also in the Polissya zone due to the lengthening of the growing season and the increase in thermal resources. The integration of sorghum into the grain production structure will contribute to crop diversification, reduce climate risks, and strengthen the country's food and export potential.
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