Maize Prices Fall 20% Across Punjab

Average maize prices across Punjab have fallen by nearly 20 percent over the past two months as weak export demand, slow purchases by feed millers, and the arrival of the new crop continue to weigh on the market.

Analysis of wholesale mandi prices across major maize-producing districts shows that average prices have declined from around Rs. 3,000 per maund (40 kg) in late April and early May to nearly Rs. 2,400 per maund by the end of June.

The decline has been visible across almost all major markets. Prices in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Chichawatni, Dipalpur, Kasur, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Samundari, Sheikhupura, Arifwala and Bahawalnagar have all followed a broadly downward trend, despite occasional short-term fluctuations. Most markets are now trading within the Rs. 2,300 to Rs. 2,500 per maund range compared to levels close to or above Rs. 3,000 per maund just weeks earlier.

A commodity trading consultant told ProPakistani that the biggest reason behind the decline is the absence of significant export activity, particularly following disruptions in trade with Afghanistan.

“The Afghan border situation has affected exports considerably, while the arrival of the new maize crop has increased market supply. At the same time, feed millers are not purchasing aggressively, which is keeping prices under pressure,” the consultant said.

He added that demand is expected to improve later this year as fresh investments in Pakistan’s poultry sector increase feed consumption. However, buying activity remains subdued for now, suggesting that price pressure is likely to persist in the near term.

Outside Punjab, maize markets in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also witnessing weaker sentiment, although the decline has generally been less pronounced than in Punjab. Traders attribute this to slower trading activity and the same export constraints affecting the national market.