Strong Output to Lift Maize Use, Stocks

17-Dec-2025 09:20 PM

New Delhi: Domestic maize production has seen fluctuations over the past few years. Production was estimated at 316.47 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season, increasing to 337.30 lakh tonnes in 2021-

22 and then surging to 380.85 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 before falling to 376 lakh tonnes in the 2023-24 season. Similarly, production increased to 420 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 and is projected to reach a record high of 450 lakh tonnes in the current 2025-26 season.

During the current 2025-26 marketing season, with a carryover stock of 14.50 lakh tonnes, production of 450 lakh tonnes, and an estimated import of 4 lakh tonnes, the total availability of maize in the domestic market is expected to reach 468.50 lakh tonnes.

Of this, 440 lakh tonnes are expected to be used domestically, and 4 lakh tonnes exported, leaving a surplus stock of 24.50 lakh tonnes at the end of the marketing season.

In comparison, during the 2024-25 season, with a carryover stock of 24.50 lakh tonnes, domestic production of 420 lakh tonnes, and imports of 8.50 lakh tonnes,

the total availability of maize was estimated at 453 lakh tonnes. Of this, 435 lakh tonnes were used domestically, and 3.50 lakh tonnes were exported, leaving a stock of 14.50 lakh tonnes at the end of the season.

In fact, the strong demand for maize in ethanol production is not only increasing its demand and consumption but also providing attractive returns to farmers.

The area under maize cultivation surged to a new record level in the 2025 Kharif season, and the area under cultivation in the current Kharif season is also ahead of last year. This is expected to lead to improved production.