en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its national crop progress weekly report in early June 2026, showing that as of June 7, in the six states accounting for 100% of U.S. sorghum planted acreage, sorghum planting progress stood at 53%, unchanged from the same period last year but below the five-year average of 57%. The previous week (as of May 31) had a planting progress of 44%. The report also indicated that emergence progress was 39%, compared to 35% last year and a five-year average of 41%.
Sorghum is a drought- and heat-tolerant cereal crop widely used for animal feed, biofuel, and food processing. The United States is one of the world's leading sorghum producers and exporters, with growing regions primarily concentrated in the central plains, including Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Among these, Kansas and Texas account for over 70% of total U.S. sorghum production. Approximately 60% to 70% of U.S. sorghum is exported, mainly to markets such as China, Mexico, and Japan.
In its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released in May 2026, the USDA forecasted for the first time that U.S. sorghum planted acreage for the 2026/27 marketing year would be 6.1 million acres, down from 6.6 million acres the previous year; yield is projected at 69.2 bushels per acre, lower than last year's 72.6 bushels per acre; total production is estimated at 367 million bushels (approximately 9.32 million metric tons), down from 437 million bushels (approximately 11.1 million metric tons) the previous year. The downward revisions in both planted acreage and yield expectations are primarily attributed to lower sorghum returns relative to competing crops such as corn and soybeans, as well as drought conditions in some producing regions. For the 2025/26 marketing year, U.S. sorghum exports are estimated at 275 million bushels, with ending stocks at 28 million bushels.
The lag in planting progress may affect the final planted acreage realization and subsequent yield potential. In the coming weeks, weather conditions in the Midwest and Southern Plains will be key factors determining whether sorghum can be planted within the optimal window. The USDA will release its annual Acreage report on June 30, which will provide more accurate planting data. Market analysts point out that if planting progress continues to lag and final planted acreage falls short of expectations, it could impact the supply situation for U.S. sorghum in the 2026/27 marketing year, thereby providing support to international sorghum prices.
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