Maize Supply from Bihar Slowed Due to Delayed Harvesting and Transport Bottlenecks
01-Jun-2026 05:49 PM
Begusarai: Bihar is regarded as the leading producer of Rabi-season maize in India. This year, sowing proceeded normally in the state, and weather conditions remained satisfactory, raising expectations for a somewhat improved harvest yield.
Bihar supplies substantial quantities of maize to various states across the country, and a portion of the produce is also exported to international markets—particularly to Bangladesh. However, adverse weather conditions in the state's key maize-producing districts over the past few days have delayed harvesting and post-harvest preparations.
Consequently, due to the lack of adequate arrivals in the *mandis* (wholesale markets), traders and suppliers are struggling to ensure timely deliveries to their clients. In light of the active Western Disturbance, the Meteorological Department has once again forecast rainfall in six districts of Bihar, which could potentially increase the moisture content in the maize crop.
It is understood that, as of last week, the total pending demand for maize at the national level stood at 1,864 railway rakes; of this, a staggering 88 percent—or 1,637 rakes—represented pending demand specifically from Bihar.
The state is currently facing a shortage of available railway rakes, and simultaneously, the cost of road transportation has also risen. Plans are in place to dispatch 404 rakes of maize from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh, while supplies of 319 rakes to Punjab, 296 to Uttarakhand, and 285 to Tamil Nadu are also pending. Additionally, a demand for 56 rakes of maize destined for Bangladesh remains outstanding.
Although several other states—including Bihar—also achieve robust maize production during the Rabi season, the focus for industries such as animal feed, poultry feed, starch manufacturing, and ethanol production remains predominantly centered on Bihar's maize.
The fact that buyers from distant southern states like Tamil Nadu are procuring maize in large volumes from Bihar serves as a clear indication that their reliance on Bihar's maize remains undiminished. If the movement of maize from Bihar faces disruptions, its prices in major consuming regions could witness a slight rise.