Maize exports jump nearly six fold in last three years

Bangladesh, Vietnam and Nepal are amongst the key export destination for maize

The export of maize has touched $816.31 million in the first ten months of current fiscal 2021-22 (April-January), already exceeding the $634.85 million achieved during the last financial year.

From an exports realization of $142.8 million in 2019-20, the export of maize increased nearly six fold, taking the total value of shipment to $1593.73 million in the last three years despite logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal are the major importers of maize from India. Bangladesh has imported maize worth $345.5 million in the current fiscal (April-January), while Nepal has imported maize worth $132.16 million during this period.

With initiatives of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to explore and diversify new markets, Vietnam has emerged as a major destination for export of maize.

India exported maize worth $244.24 million to Vietnam in the first ten months of current fiscal (April-January 2021-22). Other prominent importing countries are Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Taiwan, Oman, etc.

Maize, which is globally known as the queen of cereals, has emerged as one of the significant foreign exchange earners under the commodities covered under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) ambit.