Nigeria’s sorghum industry has witnessed a significant boost in its export numbers, marking a historic milestone for the country.
According to recent data obtained by Investors King, Nigeria exported a staggering N875 million worth of sorghum seeds in the first quarter of 2023, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Findings showed Nigeria’s bulk of sorghum production is derived from the Northern Guinea and Sudan/Sahel ecologies of northern Nigeria.
The product is predominantly used by companies producing beverages, breakfast cereals, and confectionery, and a small percentage of the grain is also used as animal feed while its stalks are used to build shelters or fences and as livestock feed.
The surge in sorghum exports can be attributed to the concerted efforts of both local and international stakeholders collaborating to enhance the industry.
One such notable collaboration involves Nigerian Breweries, whose CEO, Hans Essaadi, announced during the company’s pre-annual general meeting media parley that they have been working with institutes to develop sorghum varieties with higher yields in the northern region.
“Nigerian Breweries noted that its collaboration with relevant local and international research institutes will expand and improve the quality of sorghum varieties used in its local production.
“To increase the positive impact of local sourcing of its agricultural raw materials, the company has also continuously expanded its sorghum sourcing areas to new communities,” Nigerian Breweries said.”
Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mahmood Abubakar, emphasized the importance of streamlining existing sorghum varieties to enhance productivity, value addition, and overall quality.
He stated that these efforts would not only boost farmers’ income but also attract more young individuals to engage in sorghum cultivation. This, in turn, would meet the growing national demand and contribute to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The minister pointed out that, “Recently sorghum crop assumed great industrial relevance such that many multi-national companies such as Breweries now use sorghum grits as adjuncts (up to 40%) to barley base (Mash) for making alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and breakfast cereals.”
Speaking further, he noted that “flour mills also use sorghum composited with wheat for flour which serves as the main ingredient in the manufacturing of confectioneries and other food products which sorghum serves as one of the ingredients.”