Corn Price Outlook India: September 2026
Indian corn prices have risen sharply since December 2025. Our September 2026 outlook looks at the weather, sowing, trade and ethanol demand behind the move, and what it means for buyers of maize in the months ahead.
A weak monsoon raises kharif yield risk
June–September rainfall was 15% below normal across India. Central and Northwest India, which together grow about 70% of the country's corn, fared better than the South Peninsula. Karnataka and Telangana face elevated yield risk, and Bihar was among the most stressed corn regions. Late-September rain also raises harvest and quality risk for mature crops.
Sowing recovered, but acreage is still down
Planting accelerated after July rains. Corn sowing closed its gap with last year from −19.5% in mid-July to −2.6% by 11 September, reaching 9.16 million hectares. Every key state except Rajasthan is below last year, with Karnataka showing the largest shortfall.
Exports and ethanol are tightening supply
Corn exports surged to 1.90 million tonnes in September–July, while imports fell to just 38 KMT from 346 KMT a year earlier. Ethanol blending reached 8.46 billion litres in November–July 2025–26, up 13.08%, with corn supplying about 38.55% of all ethanol. Together, strong exports and ethanol demand are tightening domestic availability as yields come under pressure.