COIMBATORE: The farmgate price of good quality maize is likely to be around Rs 2,700 per quintal during the harvest, with further price movement hinging on the volume of arrivals from Bihar, according to an analysis by the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of Department of Agricultural Economics, Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).DEMIC noted that a decline in monsoon rainfall has impacted the kharif area. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has flagged that below-normal rainfall in India affected maize yields in 2026, attributing it to a decline in area.In Tamil Nadu, maize production is estimated at 33 lakh tonnes from 5.4 lakh hectares, with Salem, Namakkal, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Villupuram and Tirupur as key producing districts. The state also depends on inflows from other states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to meet demand.With IMD predicting below-normal rainfall for the northeast monsoon over the Southern Peninsular region, DEMIC said the monsoon deficit could influence supply conditions in Tamil Nadu and, in turn, affect prices.The forecast is based on an analysis of maize prices in the Udumalpet market over the past 15 years, along with a market survey. Farmers have been advised to take selling decisions based on prevailing arrivals, particularly from Bihar.
