Sorghum production in Brazil rises by more than 36% in just one harvest

The strong expansion of sorghum in Brazil, both in area and production over the last four decades, and the favorable scenarios for an (even) greater development of the crop in the coming years were aspects debated by experts from the market and research areas during the XXXIII National Corn and Sorghum Congress. “We have a promising horizon for sorghum. With the expectation of an increase in corn exports from Brazil to China, prices should continue to appreciate and sorghum should be more sought after by agribusinesses”, predicts Felipe Fabbri, coordinator of the alternative proteins market and production cost division at Scot. Consultancy.

“Year after year we have seen increases in area and production, rates that have been driven by animal production agribusinesses, which want to reduce costs in feed production, and by declines in corn production due to the weather”, he describes. Brazil, according to the latest harvest survey by Conab (National Supply Company) released on September 8, produced 2,85 million tons of sorghum in the last harvest (36,9% more than in the previous period), in a planted area of ​​1,03 million hectares (increase of 19,4%). Productivity, according to the institution, is 2.763 kilos per hectare, with a positive variation of 14,6% in relation to the 2020/2021 harvest.

“The scenario for 2022/2023 is one of strong evolution, with more investment in technology. We should have another year under the influence of La Niña and producers may opt more for sorghum, if the window for planting the summer crop is shortened”, says Fabbri. The cereal is practically sown in its entirety during the second harvest period, as it is more resistant to the lack of rain and tolerates higher temperatures. This competitive advantage of sorghum is accompanied by a lower production cost – compared to corn between 20% and 30% less – and a scenario of high liquidity experienced by producers in recent years.

According to the coordinator of Scot's market intelligence team, there is high demand from the industry for grains during the harvest period. “It’s an easily accessible option at a lower cost”, he summarizes. Entirely focused on domestic consumption, the sorghum production chain has become more professional with measures adopted by agribusinesses in the marketing process. “As of 2019, we have established clear rules for sorghum producers, guaranteeing at least 85% of the price for a bag of corn, which can even be included in a contract, if the farmer wishes”, reaffirms the executive manager of Operations and Logistics at BRF, Dércio Luís Oppelt.

According to him, the company still works with other forms of marketing, such as future purchases with prices fixed in reais and also linked to the Brazilian and Chicago stock exchanges, in addition to purchases in deposit with the stipulation of the date of sale which can be defined by the producer himself or by the cooperative. “The farmer can deliver the production and not sell it, waiting for the best moment. We adapt the way we sell sorghum to the same way we sell corn”, explains Oppelt. “Establishing this clarity in the sales process is essential for the market and for the producer”, he adds.

According to Dércio, one of the challenges for greater expansion of culture in the country is transport logistics, with high freight prices, with the increase in diesel oil, since the Center-South region concentrates production – Goiás produces almost 41% of Brazilian sorghum. Another factor pointed out by the manager is losses in the transportation process. “Trucks must have a well-closed body. Sorghum grains, being much smaller than corn grains, are more susceptible to losses in logistics,” he points out. Dércio Oppelt also reinforces the need for more investment in research and the need to register herbicides and insecticides for the crop, in addition to investments in factories for the use of sorghum in the formulation of feed.

Brazil's Sorghum Belt

Goiás, Minas and São Paulo lead sorghum production in the country. But the production axis is changing, according to data presented by Urubatan Klink, commercial manager for South America at Innovative Seed Solutions. “Matopiba and Sealba, in addition to the states of Mato Grosso and Rondônia, are important movements in terms of production territories, which brings us a series of efforts thinking about each of these regions”, he assesses. According to him, the regions of Sorriso and Primavera do Leste, in Mato Grosso, still have opportunities for expansion along with the growth in ethanol production.

Below, see a diagnosis of the main Brazilian productive areas and future trends, in Klink's view.

Central Region: Minas Gerais, Goiás and North of São Paulo

Planted area growth trend of 13,6% in five years, going from the current 1,2 million hectares to almost 2 million hectares in 2027. “It is a more technological area, but we must be attentive to cultivars tolerant to the aphid, which caused serious problems in crops in the United States”, he warns. According to Urubatan Klink, there is a need to develop new chemical molecules (herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), new hybrids with high production potential and the generation of high-quality grains for the meat industry.

Northern Region: Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Pará

Increase of 32,3% in the planted area over the next five years, reaching 603 thousand hectares in 2027. Development of efficient hybrids with high stability and tolerant to nematodes, mainly for regions with sandy soils. Generation of high-quality hybrids for the meat industry and ethanol plants, in addition to developing local seed production.

Northeast Region: Matopiba and Sealba

Growth of 35,1% in the planted area until 2027, reaching 935 thousand hectares. Development of hybrids with high productive potential for irrigated areas and high stability for rainfed regions, tolerant to aphids and nematodes. New chemical molecules. High quality hybrids for the meat industry and for ethanol (mainly in the Luís Eduardo Magalhães region, in Bahia, where an alcohol production hub has already been started), in addition to the development of local seed production.

Subtropical Region: south of São Paulo, Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul

From 245 thousand hectares in 2022 to 499 thousand hectares in 2027. “Perhaps it is one of the few regions in the country where corn is being replaced by sorghum as a result of the corn leafhopper”, he interprets. Development of efficient hybrids with high stability and tolerant to ergot, especially in later plantings, and aphids. Generation of high-quality grains for the meat industry and cattle feed.

Southern Region: Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina

Growth of 78,7% in the planted area until 2027, reaching 124 thousand hectares in 2027. Development of hybrids for this region, efficient and highly stable for summer planting, adapted to waterlogged areas (rotation with rice crops, promoting the reduction of the weed known as red rice). Generation of high-quality grains for the meat industry and cattle feed.

Particularities of the culture

“Over the last 10 years, there has been a huge evolution in the productive potential of hybrids, going from a potential of 80 to 150 bags, in addition to the improvement of important attributes, such as drought tolerance, nutritional quality and nematode reduction. It is important to continue the evolution of these hybrids so that they can guarantee an increase in planted areas in expansion regions, in addition to offering the market aphid-tolerant cultivars”, comments the commercial manager for South America at Innovative Seed Solutions. Among the hybrids mentioned, with high productive potential, is BRS 373, developed by Embrapa.

Ethanol and human nutrition

Currently, around 12% of the sorghum harvest in the United States, the main producer of the crop, is used to produce biofuels. “In addition, the crop is suitable for different types of ethanol production, with sorghum grain producing the same amount of ethanol per ton as corn, but using a third less water in its production”, he explains.

Regarding the potential use of sorghum in human nutrition, Klink is emphatic. “We have used very little of this sorghum grain. We know that other countries have used much more and explored this potential, such as Japan, the United States and the European Union. It brings this tremendous advantage of gluten intolerance”, he reinforces.