In agriculture, few things come quickly, and fewer still come easily. But every now and then, there’s an opportunity so large and so aligned with our values and capabilities that it’s worth the long wait and hard fight. India is that opportunity for U.S. sorghum.
If you’ve spent any time around export market development work, you’ve heard India’s name before. It comes up in every conversation about future growth. With almost one-fifth of the world’s population and a trajectory that will make it the second-largest economy by 2075, India is more than a market — it’s a long-term bet on the future of global agriculture. And if U.S. sorghum has a growth story to tell, India is the chapter we haven’t finished writing yet.
To be clear, this isn’t about wishful thinking or some hypothetical future demand. In 2024, India became a net importer of coarse grains for the first time in modern history. Feed demand is exploding, driven by a poultry and dairy sector that’s scaling up fast, and domestic grain production just can’t keep pace.
As one of the largest feed industries in the world, India is now actively looking abroad for help. And with its non-GMO import requirements, U.S. sorghum isn’t just a good fit — it’s one of the only viable options.
Trade hurdles
So, why aren’t we shipping boatloads of grain into India right now?
As with so many things in trade, the answer is complicated. India imposes a staggering 50% tariff on imported U.S. sorghum, putting us at a significant disadvantage relative to local grains and competitors with better trade terms. Add in the absence of a published Pest Risk Assessment — something USDA has already submitted paperwork for — and you’ve got a situation where demand exists, supply is ready, but the trade door remains frustratingly closed.
Still, those of us in the sorghum business aren’t exactly new to hard roads. We’ve seen this play before in other market opportunities: ethanol, China, aquaculture. Each time, the strategy has been the same: Educate the customer, make the technical case, and stay present long enough to outlast the bureaucracy.
In early 2025, that approach continued with a U.S. sorghum trade mission to India, focused on education and relationship building. Kansas Sorghum, the U.S. Grains Council and Kansas State University’s IGP Institute have all played key roles, and the groundwork is being laid.
Most recently, Indian poultry stakeholders participated in a training program on how to incorporate sorghum into feed rations. A follow-up technical course is on the way, and feed trials are being planned with some of the country’s largest millers. These efforts may not move the needle overnight, but they send a clear message: We’re serious about helping India meet its needs.
That commitment matters. In global markets, patience and presence count just as much as price and protein. And when it comes to feed grains, India’s not just looking for transactions — it’s looking for trusted relationships. We’re building those now, one meeting and one training at a time.
Relationship building
It’s easy to get discouraged by the pace of progress, but it’s worth remembering that the same was once said about ethanol. The same was said about China. And in each case, when the moment came, sorghum was ready — not just with grain, but with partnerships, data and the staying power that only a crop with roots as deep as ours can offer.
India’s path forward won’t be quick, but the demand is real. The value proposition is clear. And if we stay the course, doing what we do best — showing up, educating and building coalitions — we’ll find ourselves at the table when the door finally opens.
That’s a bet worth making. And for U.S. sorghum farmers, it’s one we’re uniquely positioned to win.