Sorghum seed quantity in South Africa
South Africa: Sorghum seed quantity was 1,384 FAO, metric tonnes in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Sorghum seed quantity in South Africa, 1961–2011
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site. Measured in FAO, metric tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for sorghum seed quantity in South Africa is 1,384 FAO, metric tonnes, measured in 2011.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 154.4% on the previous year and down 8.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, sorghum seed quantity in South Africa peaked at 12,800 FAO, metric tonnes in 1966 and was at its lowest, 489 FAO, metric tonnes, in 2009.
That places South Africa 26th 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.
Sorghum seed quantity in South Africa, year by year
| Year | FAO, metric tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 5,280 FAO, metric tonnes | — |
| 1962 | 10,020 FAO, metric tonnes | +89.8% |
| 1963 | 7,320 FAO, metric tonnes | -26.9% |
| 1964 | 9,660 FAO, metric tonnes | +32.0% |
| 1965 | 9,120 FAO, metric tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1966 | 12,800 FAO, metric tonnes | +40.4% |
| 1967 | 5,320 FAO, metric tonnes | -58.4% |
| 1968 | 5,100 FAO, metric tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1969 | 6,560 FAO, metric tonnes | +28.6% |
| 1970 | 7,600 FAO, metric tonnes | +15.9% |
| 1971 | 6,440 FAO, metric tonnes | -15.3% |
| 1972 | 4,280 FAO, metric tonnes | -33.5% |
| 1973 | 6,720 FAO, metric tonnes | +57.0% |
| 1974 | 5,080 FAO, metric tonnes | -24.4% |
| 1975 | 4,260 FAO, metric tonnes | -16.1% |
| 1976 | 5,660 FAO, metric tonnes | +32.9% |
| 1977 | 5,680 FAO, metric tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1978 | 5,000 FAO, metric tonnes | -12.0% |
| 1979 | 5,280 FAO, metric tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1980 | 4,380 FAO, metric tonnes | -17.0% |
| 1981 | 4,300 FAO, metric tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1982 | 4,940 FAO, metric tonnes | +14.9% |
| 1983 | 6,460 FAO, metric tonnes | +30.8% |
| 1984 | 7,080 FAO, metric tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1985 | 7,760 FAO, metric tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1986 | 8,020 FAO, metric tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1987 | 6,520 FAO, metric tonnes | -18.7% |
| 1988 | 4,560 FAO, metric tonnes | -30.1% |
| 1989 | 3,920 FAO, metric tonnes | -14.0% |
| 1990 | 3,320 FAO, metric tonnes | -15.3% |
| 1991 | 3,820 FAO, metric tonnes | +15.1% |
| 1992 | 4,780 FAO, metric tonnes | +25.1% |
| 1993 | 4,540 FAO, metric tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1994 | 2,860 FAO, metric tonnes | -37.0% |
| 1995 | 3,482 FAO, metric tonnes | +21.7% |
| 1996 | 3,220 FAO, metric tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1997 | 2,626 FAO, metric tonnes | -18.4% |
| 1998 | 1,978 FAO, metric tonnes | -24.7% |
| 1999 | 2,844 FAO, metric tonnes | +43.8% |
| 2000 | 1,760 FAO, metric tonnes | -38.1% |
| 2001 | 1,505 FAO, metric tonnes | -14.5% |
| 2002 | 1,910 FAO, metric tonnes | +26.9% |
| 2003 | 2,600 FAO, metric tonnes | +36.1% |
| 2004 | 1,730 FAO, metric tonnes | -33.5% |
| 2005 | 743 FAO, metric tonnes | -57.1% |
| 2006 | 1,380 FAO, metric tonnes | +85.7% |
| 2007 | 919 FAO, metric tonnes | -33.4% |
| 2008 | 737 FAO, metric tonnes | -19.8% |
| 2009 | 489 FAO, metric tonnes | -33.6% |
| 2010 | 544 FAO, metric tonnes | +11.2% |
| 2011 | 1,384 FAO, metric tonnes | +154.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 7,909 FAO, metric tonnes | 5,100 FAO, metric tonnes | 12,800 FAO, metric tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 5,600 FAO, metric tonnes | 4,260 FAO, metric tonnes | 7,600 FAO, metric tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 5,794 FAO, metric tonnes | 3,920 FAO, metric tonnes | 8,020 FAO, metric tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,347 FAO, metric tonnes | 1,978 FAO, metric tonnes | 4,780 FAO, metric tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,377 FAO, metric tonnes | 489 FAO, metric tonnes | 2,600 FAO, metric tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 964 FAO, metric tonnes | 544 FAO, metric tonnes | 1,384 FAO, metric tonnes | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 sorghum seed quantity in South Africa?
- Sorghum seed quantity in South Africa was 1,384 FAO, metric tonnes in 2011, according to Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.
- What is the highest sorghum seed quantity recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 12,800 FAO, metric tonnes in 1966.
- What is the lowest sorghum seed quantity recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 489 FAO, metric tonnes in 2009.
- How does South Africa rank for sorghum seed quantity?
- South Africa ranks 26th out of 41 countries with data for 2011.
- Is sorghum seed quantity rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.0%. 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 Sorghum seed quantity (FAO, metric tonnes). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Data include the amounts of the commodity in question set aside for sowing or planting (or generally for reproduction purposes, e.g. sugar cane planted, potatoes for seed, eggs for hatching and fish for bait, whether domestically produced or imported) during the reference period. Account is taken of double or successive sowing or planting whenever it occurs. The data of seed include also, when it is the case, the quantities necessary for sowing or planting the area relating to crops harvested green for fodder or for food.(e.g. green peas, green beans, maize for forage) Data for seed element are stored in tonnes (t). Whenever official data were not available, seed figures have been estimated either as a percentage of supply (e.g. eggs for hatching) or by multiplying a seed rate with the area under the crop of the subsequent year.