Maize production in the country this year is likely to touch a record 25 million tonnes as adequate monsoon rains trigger higher acreage across growing states.
According to data available from the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the area under maize, as on October 2, has risen by 11 per cent to 82.24 lakh hectares against 74 lakh ha in the corresponding period last year
Higher than normal rains across major maize growing states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are likely to further push up rabi acreage this fiscal.
According to the first advance estimates of Ministry of Agriculture, maize production is expected at 17.8 mt compared with 16 mt, according to the fourth estimates for 2012-13.
“Maize production is likely to surpass all records this year. We expect bumper crop as kharif production may cross 18 mt by the time the Ministry comes out with second advance estimates, as the first estimates are usually very conservative,” Raju Choksi, Vice-President (Agri-Commodities), Anil Nutrients Ltd said here on Monday.
Rabi production last year stood at around 6.25 mt despite bad monsoon and so this year, rabi production too is likely to be higher.
Maize prices have been firm since the last couple of months due to scarce supply in the market.
With kharif crop likely to arrive in the markets from next fortnight onwards, the prices are expected to fall by 7-10 per cent, he said.
Prices will also be impacted because of higher global supply which may further increase following record crop in Argentina, Brazil and the Black Sea Region, which are major exporters to world markets.
India is currently out priced in the international markets as Indian corn is being offered at $270-275/mt as against the Ukrainian variety being sold around $235/mt, he said.
Maize has been trading in the range of Rs 1,500-1,600 a quintal , much above the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,175 fixed by the Government last year.
This year, the Government has fixed MSP of Rs 1,310, higher by about 11 per cent compared to last year.