As highlighted in our earlier maize report, the market has shown a slightly weak tone, moving from stability toward mild bearishness. On one hand, quality concerns have emerged due to ongoing rains; on the other, consistent demand from ethanol plants has provided some support to prices. Today, in the Gulabbagh Purnia mandi, maize traded between ₹2,150 and ₹2,250 per quintal, registering a ₹25 decline. At the rake point, prices ranged from ₹2,170 to ₹2,200, while stock prices stood higher at ₹2,300 to ₹2,320. In Siyana, Bulandshahr, prices remained stable at ₹2,050. In Dhule, maize was sold between ₹1,800 and ₹2,200, with an arrival of 500 quintals. Latur mandi recorded prices between ₹2,000 and ₹2,500, with arrivals of 200 bags. In Chhindwara, prices ranged from ₹2,100 to ₹2,270, while in Jahangirabad, they stood between ₹2,150 and ₹2,160, with arrivals of 3,000 bags. According to a recent FAO report, global maize production is projected to rise by 3.8% this year, putting downward pressure on international prices. Additionally, CFTC data shows 182,000 short positions, indicating bearish sentiment among speculators. In India, maize production has reached 42.3 million tonnes this year, slightly below domestic consumption at 42.8 million tonnes, reflecting a mild supply-demand gap. Maize exports stood at 5.27 lakh tonnes, while imports were around 8.96 lakh tonnes. The Indian government is working to expand maize cultivation from 12 million hectares to 14 million hectares, as annual maize consumption is rising at a rate of 6.7%, while production growth lags at 5.8%.