India set to expand regional corn exports as supplies surge

India is expected to increase its corn exports in the 2025/26 marketing year as rising production and changing ethanol policies free up supplies for regional trade, according to the latest Grain: World Markets and Trade report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. India’s corn exports are forecast at 650,000 metric tons, up 350,000 tons from the previous estimate, supported by competitive export prices and stronger demand from neighboring Asian markets.

The expansion follows a record Indian corn harvest of 43 million tons, nearly 1 million tons higher than the previous year. Production growth has been driven partly by India’s grain-based ethanol program, which increased corn use for fuel production in recent years. However, improved rice supplies in 2025/26 allowed the government to ease restrictions on rice used for ethanol, reducing demand for corn and leaving more supplies available for export.

Lower domestic corn prices in India—around 1,600 rupees per quintal (about USD 174 per ton)—have also encouraged exporters, particularly as buyers in markets such as Vietnam were paying roughly USD 230 per ton late last year. As a result, India is expected to play a larger role in South and Southeast Asian corn trade during the current marketing year, the USDA said.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service