Land under sorghum production in South Africa
South Africa: Land under sorghum production was 69,200 hectares in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Land under sorghum production in South Africa, 1961–2011
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2011, land under sorghum production in South Africa stood at 69,200 hectares.
That represents a change of down 20.2% on the previous year and down 21.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, land under sorghum production in South Africa peaked at 640,000 hectares in 1967 and was at its lowest, 37,150 hectares, in 2006.
That places South Africa 25th out of 41 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Land under sorghum production in South Africa, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 328,000 hectares | — |
| 1962 | 264,000 hectares | -19.5% |
| 1963 | 501,000 hectares | +89.8% |
| 1964 | 366,000 hectares | -26.9% |
| 1965 | 483,000 hectares | +32.0% |
| 1966 | 456,000 hectares | -5.6% |
| 1967 | 640,000 hectares | +40.4% |
| 1968 | 266,000 hectares | -58.4% |
| 1969 | 255,000 hectares | -4.1% |
| 1970 | 328,000 hectares | +28.6% |
| 1971 | 380,000 hectares | +15.9% |
| 1972 | 322,000 hectares | -15.3% |
| 1973 | 214,000 hectares | -33.5% |
| 1974 | 336,000 hectares | +57.0% |
| 1975 | 254,000 hectares | -24.4% |
| 1976 | 213,000 hectares | -16.1% |
| 1977 | 283,000 hectares | +32.9% |
| 1978 | 284,000 hectares | +0.4% |
| 1979 | 250,000 hectares | -12.0% |
| 1980 | 264,000 hectares | +5.6% |
| 1981 | 219,000 hectares | -17.0% |
| 1982 | 215,000 hectares | -1.8% |
| 1983 | 247,000 hectares | +14.9% |
| 1984 | 323,000 hectares | +30.8% |
| 1985 | 354,000 hectares | +9.6% |
| 1986 | 388,000 hectares | +9.6% |
| 1987 | 401,000 hectares | +3.4% |
| 1988 | 326,000 hectares | -18.7% |
| 1989 | 228,000 hectares | -30.1% |
| 1990 | 196,000 hectares | -14.0% |
| 1991 | 166,000 hectares | -15.3% |
| 1992 | 191,000 hectares | +15.1% |
| 1993 | 239,000 hectares | +25.1% |
| 1994 | 227,000 hectares | -5.0% |
| 1995 | 143,000 hectares | -37.0% |
| 1996 | 174,120 hectares | +21.8% |
| 1997 | 161,000 hectares | -7.5% |
| 1998 | 131,277 hectares | -18.5% |
| 1999 | 98,900 hectares | -24.7% |
| 2000 | 142,200 hectares | +43.8% |
| 2001 | 88,000 hectares | -38.1% |
| 2002 | 75,250 hectares | -14.5% |
| 2003 | 95,497 hectares | +26.9% |
| 2004 | 130,000 hectares | +36.1% |
| 2005 | 86,500 hectares | -33.5% |
| 2006 | 37,150 hectares | -57.1% |
| 2007 | 69,000 hectares | +85.7% |
| 2008 | 86,800 hectares | +25.8% |
| 2009 | 85,500 hectares | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 86,675 hectares | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 69,200 hectares | -20.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 395,444 hectares | 255,000 hectares | 640,000 hectares | 9 |
| 1970s | 286,400 hectares | 213,000 hectares | 380,000 hectares | 10 |
| 1980s | 296,500 hectares | 215,000 hectares | 401,000 hectares | 10 |
| 1990s | 172,730 hectares | 98,900 hectares | 239,000 hectares | 10 |
| 2000s | 89,590 hectares | 37,150 hectares | 142,200 hectares | 10 |
| 2010s | 77,938 hectares | 69,200 hectares | 86,675 hectares | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 22 Malawi 89,607 hectares compare
- 23 Mauritania 88,155 hectares compare
- 24 Botswana 78,697 hectares compare
- 26 Côte d'Ivoire 68,324 hectares compare
- 27 Burundi 67,800 hectares compare
- 28 Central African Republic 41,000 hectares compare
More agriculture & rural data for South Africa
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 7.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0283 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 186.56 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.812 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.3618 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 2.8% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 2.8% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 2.0% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is land under sorghum production in South Africa?
- Land under sorghum production in South Africa was 69,200 hectares in 2011, according to Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.
- What is the highest land under sorghum production recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 640,000 hectares in 1967.
- What is the lowest land under sorghum production recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 37,150 hectares in 2006.
- How does South Africa rank for land under sorghum production?
- South Africa ranks 25th out of 41 countries with data for 2011.
- Is land under sorghum production rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site, published as part of Land under sorghum production (hectares). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Land under sorghum production refers to harvested area, although some countries report only sown or cultivated area. Production data on relate to crop harvested for dry grain only. Crop harvested for hay or harvested green for food, feed, or silage and those used for grazing are excluded.