भाषा:

Poultry farmers in India are now paying about ₹27-28 for a kilo of maize, roughly double the ₹12-14 they paid in 2019. A report published by ChiniMandi on 12 October 2026 says two forces are behind the jump: more maize going to ethanol distilleries, and a drought-damaged crop in Karnataka. Maize is the biggest ingredient in broiler feed, so every rupee added to its price shows up in the cost of each kilo of chicken produced.

Key facts

ItemWhat the report says
Maize price paid by poultry farmers (late September 2026)₹27-28 per kg
Maize price in 2019₹12-14 per kg
Maize share of broiler feedAbout 55-65% by weight
Karnataka maize output this seasonDown about 25% (industry estimate)
Where buyers are now sourcing maizeBihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra
Zappfresh (DSM Fresh Foods)Procurement cost up 10%; chicken prices raised about 5%
Home-cooked non-veg thali, September 2026₹59.50, up 6% on a year earlier (Crisil)

Why maize has become so expensive

India’s ethanol programme has grown quickly, and distilleries now use large volumes of maize. That puts them in direct competition with feed mills for the same grain, and the price goes up for everyone.

The weather has made it worse. Narendra Pasuparthy, founder and CEO of Nandu’s, estimates that Karnataka’s maize production fell by about 25% this season after drought damage. He blames the shortage on both ethanol diversion and crop losses, and says supplies are now being brought in from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The pressure is reaching the meat counter. DSM Fresh Foods, which sells under the Zappfresh brand, says its procurement costs rose 10%. It raised chicken prices by about 5% and absorbed the rest, which has hit its margins.

Drought adds pressure

A second report adds to the worry. On 1 October 2026, Asian Agribiz reported that Maharashtra, an important soybean-growing state, is going through a severe drought. A long dry spell in several regions has caused heavy crop losses. The feed manufacturers’ body CLFMA has urged action to safeguard India’s feed security, as feed makers fear smaller corn and soybean harvests will tighten ingredient supply and push prices higher.

This matters twice over: maize gives the energy in the ration and soybean meal most of the protein, so a poor season for both hits the two biggest parts of the feed bill. Maharashtra is also one of the states buyers are now turning to for maize, so a weak harvest there narrows the options further.

What it means for poultry and dairy farmers

  • Higher cost per kg of feed: with maize at 55-65% of broiler feed, every ₹1 rise in the price of a kilo of maize adds roughly 55-65 paise to a kilo of feed, before any change in soya or other ingredients.
  • Thinner margins on each batch: feed is the largest single cost in broiler and layer farming. Farm-gate bird and egg prices move with supply and demand, so they do not always rise when feed does.
  • Contract farmers: integrators supply the feed, but high feed cost makes them stricter on FCR and mortality, which affects your growing charges.
  • Dairy farmers: maize is also a common energy source in cattle feed, so compound feed prices can rise too.

What farmers should do now

  • Buy early if you can store safely. Book maize or feed ahead when you have a dry, clean, rat-proof store. Mouldy grain carries aflatoxin.
  • Track FCR every batch. Weigh a sample of birds every week and write down feed used.
  • Stop feed wastage. Keep feeders at the birds’ back height, do not fill them to the brim, and fix leaking or tilted feeders.
  • Ask about alternative grains. Where broken rice, bajra or jowar are cheaper locally, ask your feed supplier or nutritionist about part replacement. Change the ration slowly and only with a proper formula.
  • Keep birds healthy. Clean water, good ventilation, dry litter and strict biosecurity matter more when feed is costly: sick birds eat but do not grow.
  • Avoid overstocking. Crowded sheds give poor weights and worse FCR.
  • Recalculate your cost per kg live weight before placing the next batch, and discuss rates with your integrator or buyer.
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FAQ

Why is maize so costly in 2026?

Ethanol distilleries are buying large amounts of maize, and drought has cut Karnataka’s crop by an estimated 25%.

Will feed prices come down soon?

The reports give no forecast. With ethanol demand still strong and drought hitting both maize and soybean, it is safer to plan for high feed prices in the coming months.

Can I replace maize completely in poultry feed?

No. Maize is the main energy source. Other grains can replace part of it, but only with a balanced formula from a nutritionist.

Sources: ChiniMandi, 12 Oct 2026; Asian Agribiz, 1 Oct 2026. Written by the IMN Pyrophos team in our own words.

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