Analysis of Grains (Maize) at SAAF 2025

20-Jan-2025 04:35 PM

★ Analysis of Grains (Maize) at SAAF 2025
Highlights from the discussion on cereals at the 3rd South Asia Agri Forum (SAAF) 2025 organised by BSAF in Sri Lanka on 15-16 January 2025.
★ SAAF 2025 Grains Panel
Manisha Gupta, CNBC TV18, India
Rajiv Kumar, Executive Director, The Rice Exporters Association, India

Rahul Chauhan, Igrain India, India
Eduard Zernin, RUSGRAIN Union, Russian Federation
G K Sood, Meir Commodities, India
Md Ali Rashed, City Commodities, Bangladesh
Atul Chhura, StarAgri, India

★ The demand for ethanol has caused a significant rise in maize prices.
★ In 2024-25, maize accounted for 51.5% of ethanol production, while sugar and other sources contributed 37%.
★ In 2023-24, 40% of ethanol was produced from maize, compared to 6% in 2022-23.
★ A total of 7 million tons of maize have been used for ethanol production, and this could rise to 12.8 million tons in 2024-25.
★ India, once a maize exporter, has now become an importer.
★ Maize prices, which were ₹950 per quintal in 2018, have now surged to ₹2,500 per quintal.
★ Maize consumption for ethanol production is expected to increase in the future.
★ Recently, FCI proposed offering rice to distilleries at lower prices, which could impact maize demand for ethanol, but the market is expected to remain strong.