Maize (corn)

What it is

Grown in kharif, rabi and summer. Most of it goes into poultry and cattle feed, starch and ethanol; some into flakes and snacks.

Yellow feed-grade maizeSweet cornPopcorn maize

Where India produces it

1. Bihar

   2023-24: 5.71 million tonnes (15.16% of India)

2. Karnataka

   2023-24: 5.63 million tonnes (14.95% of India)

3. Madhya Pradesh

   2023-24: 4.34 million tonnes (11.52% of India)

4. Tamil Nadu

   2023-24: 2.84 million tonnes (7.54% of India)

5. Telangana

   2023-24: 2.78 million tonnes (7.38% of India)

Where imports come from

Mostly home-grown; imports rose to US$ 259.81 million in 2024-25 from US$ 38.68 million in 2023-24 (HS 1005).

• Myanmar — US$ 147.31 million imported under HS 1005 in 2024-25
• Ukraine — US$ 94.21 million imported under HS 1005 in 2024-25

Rules before you buy or sell

• Farm-gate trade usually goes through a state APMC mandi or e-NAM; the state's market fee and trader licence rules apply.
• Imports of seeds, grain and plant products need a phytosanitary certificate and clearance under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.
• Import and export are governed by the ITC(HS) policy; check the current DGFT notification before you sign a contract, because policy for farm goods changes often.

Storage and handling

Dry to safe moisture before storage; watch for aflatoxin in damp stock.

Businesses that use it

Poultry Feed Unit →Cattle Feed (Pellet) Unit →Fish Feed Plant (Floating Pellets) →Maize Flakes →Popcorn Making →Frozen Sweet Corn Unit →