Sweet sorghum syrup has been produced in the United States since colonial days. Some sweet sorghum syrup has at one time or another been produced in every one of the contiguous 48 states.
Sweet sorghum is grown extensively for syrup production in the southeastern states.
The first statistical record of sorghum syrup produced in Kentucky was in 1899 when 21,982 acres were grown and 1,277,206 gal of syrup were produced. During the years 1949-1958, only 4,000 acres were grown annually and by 1960, acreage had decreased to 2,000 acres. This downward trend continued until 1972, when sugar prices greatly increased. From fewer than 500 acres in 1972, acreage has steadily increased to over 3000 acres in 1994. Most of the syrup for the commercial market is produced by relatively small or intermediate-size producers who sell in their local regions.