Eggs, chicken could cost more as maize shortage due to ethanol blending will worsen amid poor rain
· Scroll
Despite a record maize production last year, India’s poultry farmers are contending with higher retail prices of the poultry staple due to its increasing demand for ethanol blending. With a decline in sowing and deficient rainfall this year, experts say this is likely to get worse.
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Maize was available to poultry farmers for Rs 12-14 per kg around the year 2019 but it now sells for Rs 27- Rs 28 per kg in the retail market. Since maize is the primary, starch-heavy food for all poultry and soymeal is the secondary food, farmers maintaining egg-layer and broiler poultry are both facing a crisis. They have to buy feed at these high prices and either pass on the cost to the consumer or bear the losses.
The contribution of maize towards ethanol blending increased from 0% in 2021-’22 to around 37% in 2025-26. India’s move to blend 20% ethanol in petrol has been a subject of much discussion this past year after vehicle owners alleged damage due to the biofuel. Besides, when sugar prices surged recently, it led to debate on whether it was due to the Ethanol Blended Petrol programme.
Poultry farmers from Maharashtra spoke to ISignal of their losses, especially when a weak monsoon might mean lower maize and...