ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is positioning itself to tap into China’s $2.6 billion sorghum import market, seeking to boost local cultivation of the drought-tolerant crop and unlock $500 million in exports over the next decade, officials shared at a seminar on Thursday.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organised the session in Sahiwal, uniting agricultural experts, traders, farmers, and policymakers to revive sorghum production. Once a staple, the crop’s cultivation has dropped by 89% since 1994 — from 438,200 to 46,697 hectares, TDAP data shows.
“The opportunity is clear. Revitalising sorghum cultivation, particularly in marginal lands like Thal and Cholistan, could transform this crop into an export powerhouse,” said Athar Hussain Khokhar, director-general of TDAP’s Agro Food Division. He pointed to a sharp drop in US sorghum exports to China — down 81.8% in January — amid trade tensions, creating a supply gap that Pakistan could exploit.
China imports more than 9 million tonnes of sorghum annually, mainly for livestock feed, baijiu production, and biofuels. Beijing’s diversification away from US suppliers opens a door for Pakistan, noted Ghulam Qadir, Pakistan’s Trade & Investment Counsellor in Beijing.
Experts at the seminar stressed the need for high-yield hybrid seeds, mechanised farming, and strong extension services to boost productivity from current levels of 0.8 tonnes per hectare to the global average of 3.26 tonnes. Dr Qamar Shakil, principal scientist at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, said aligning with China’s preference for high-starch, low-tannin varieties would be key.
Participants highlighted challenges, including the absence of a sanitary and phytosanitary protocol with China’s general administration of customs, weak post-harvest infrastructure, and limited export-grade varieties. Proposals included forging technological partnerships with Chinese research bodies, modernising the supply chain, and leveraging the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for logistical advantages.
TDAP said it plans to promote Pakistan’s competitively priced sorghum at trade fairs, emphasising its 30-40% cost advantage over other suppliers. “With strategic investments, sorghum could mirror the success of Pakistan’s sesame exports, potentially generating $1 billion annually within five years,” the agency noted.
