India: Maize Market Scenario
13-Jun-2025 01:46 PM
Current Status of Maize Market in India (2024–25)
★ India’s total maize production in 2024–25 reached 422.81 lakh tons, the highest in the last four years
★ (2020–21: 316.47 | 2021–22: 337.3 | 2022–23: 380.85 | 2023–24: 376.65 lakh tons)
★ Estimated Production in Key States (in lakh tons):
★ Karnataka: 2022/23- 59.11, 2023/24- 56.29, 2024/25- 61.63
– Madhya Pradesh: 2022/23- 46.21, 2023/24- 43.39, 2024/25- 67
– Maharashtra: 2022/23- 39.2, 2023/24- 24.5, 2024/25- 48.76
– Bihar: 2022/23- 43.8, 2023/24- 57.09, 2024/25-49
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Sharp Decline in Maize Prices (₹/quintal) – November 2024 vs June 2025:
– Delhi (Bilty): 2,650/ 2,200 (-450)
– Uttar Pradesh: 2,450/ 2,100 (-350)
– Latur: 2700/ 2300 (-400)
– Gulbarga: 2,850/ 2,400 (-450)
– Gulabbagh: 2,700/ 2,050 (-650)
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Reasons for the Price Fall:
★ Consistently high production over the past four years
★ Permission granted to manufacture ethanol from rice and sugar
★ Active procurement by stockists
★ New storage facilities and ethanol plants opened in states like Bihar, Maharashtra, MP, and Karnataka
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India Turns Net Importer of Maize:
– 2024–25 Imports: 9,55,627 tons vs. 1,26,222 tons in 2023–24
– 2024–25 Exports: 90,311 tons vs. 2,95,892 tons in 2023–24
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India’s Ethanol Production Capacity:
★ Increased from 518 crore litres in 2018 to 1,800 crore litres by April 2025
★ Ethanol blending rate with petrol reached 18.61% by April 2025
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Ethanol Production from Grains/Sugar (in crore litres):
Season– By Grains/ By Sugar
2022–23: 137.12/ 379
2023–24: 402.23 / 270.3
2024–25: 650 / 250
★ (Grain includes maize and rice; sugar includes sugar, molasses-B & C)
★ FCI is selling rice at subsidized rates to distillers, but uptake remains weak
★ Ethanol production from sugar and molasses-B was prohibited last year
★ Ethanol producers are demanding a price hike from the government
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Other Market Pressures:
★ Excess supply and low prices of DDGS have reduced demand for maize and meal in the poultry sector
★ Due to rising prices last season, sowing in the upcoming Kharif season is expected to increase
★ However, ongoing high production may continue to put pressure on prices