India’s maize production forecast for 2026-27 has been lowered by 10%

The USDA local office in New Delhi has released a report stating that India's corn production in the 2026-27 season will total 50 million metric tons. This is 10% lower than the record level of the previous period (2025-26), when the harvest reached 55 million metric tons, significantly exceeding the 43.4 million metric tons recorded a year earlier.

The decline is attributed to a reduction in sown areas. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, as of August 28, 89.99 million hectares were allocated to the crop, which is 4% less than the 93.87 million hectares during the same period last year. A negative trend in key producing regions is observed in Karnataka (a 26% decline), Maharashtra (11%), Telangana (13%), and Madhya Pradesh (2.22%). At the same time, several states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Himachal, have recorded an increase in sown areas.

One of the key reasons for the current situation was a weak monsoon in June 2026, which led to a delay of approximately two weeks in the sowing campaign of Kharif corn. Currently, crops in the southern and peninsular parts of the country are experiencing a deficit of soil moisture. Experts also note that projected weak monsoon rains in August and September could negatively impact residual soil moisture levels, which threatens the harvest of winter (Rabi) and summer corn.

The Grain and Feed Update report also indicates that final figures could be affected by prolonged dry spells or excessive rainfall during the harvesting period in September. Despite the expected decrease in production volume to 50 million metric tons, the corn consumption forecast has been revised upward to 51 million metric tons, compared to 48 million metric tons last year.