Maize Imports Surge Sixfold Annually

16-Jul-2025 03:13 PM

New Delhi. During the financial year 2023-24, India imported only 1.37 lakh tonnes of maize, which surged nearly six times to a record level of 9.70 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. With this, India shifted from being a net exporter to a net importer of maize.

The spike in domestic demand and consumption—especially from the ethanol manufacturing sector along with traditional consumers like animal feed, poultry feed, and starch industries—led to this sharp increase in imports.

Although government data shows that maize production rose to a new record high during the 2024-25 season, heavy imports were still required to meet the growing demand.

As a result of this rising domestic need and higher prices, maize exports declined significantly—from 14.42 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to just 5.56 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, registering a steep fall of 61 percent. In comparison, India had exported an impressive 34.53 lakh tonnes of maize in 2022-23.

Due to the lower export volumes, export earnings from maize dropped drastically—from $1.11 billion in 2022-23 to only $201 million in 2024-25. According to the third and final estimate of the Union Agriculture Ministry, India’s maize production rose to a record 422.81 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, almost double the 225.67 lakh tonnes recorded in 2015-16.

Industry and trade analysts had earlier projected imports of around 7.70 lakh tonnes for 2024-25, but actual imports exceeded this by 2 lakh tonnes. India, once a leading maize exporter in Asia, became a net importer during this fiscal year.

Looking ahead, a major shift is unlikely. However, with increased use of subsidized government rice for ethanol production, pressure on maize demand has eased somewhat. Additionally, indications of an increase in maize sowing during the current Kharif season suggest the situation could improve gradually.