The maize market is currently balanced but firm. Earlier, prices were largely driven by news and speculation, but now the market is moving based on real-time buying and selling. Some mandis are seeing pressure due to arrivals, while in others, prices are holding steady or showing gains. Overall, the market is stabilizing around actual demand. Mandi Prices in Madhya Pradesh: Prices across Madhya Pradesh mandis showed a wide range. In Khandwa, maize traded at ₹1,401–1,783, showing a minor weakness of about ₹17. In Dhamnod, prices ranged between ₹1,101–1,812, reflecting slight pressure. Devas saw a decline of around ₹50, trading at ₹1,400–1,850. On the other hand, Sanawad showed firmness, with prices rising to ₹1,592–1,719. Pipariya remained steady at around ₹1,625, while Indore saw bilty rates of ₹1,700–1,800, up roughly ₹50. These fluctuations clearly indicate selective buying based on quality and arrivals. Trends in Rajasthan Mandis: Rajasthan mandis also showed mixed trends. In Baran, prices fell by about ₹34, trading at ₹1,400–1,851. Kota remained steady at ₹1,700–2,000, reflecting consistent demand. Jodhpur held around ₹2,050, supported by limited arrivals and continuous buying. Processing and Feed Market in Maharashtra & Gujarat: The processing and cattle feed markets in Maharashtra and Gujarat have supported maize prices. Sangli remained steady at ₹2,125, while Miraj (Sahyadri Starch) stayed at ₹1,900. Baramati cattle feed traded at ₹2,000 on CC payment. Strong buying in Shirur and Shrirampur pushed prices up by about ₹130. In Gujarat, Bavla (Grainspan) traded at ₹1,910–1,920, up ₹10, and Viramgam (Roquette) rose to ₹2,040, up ₹20. Ankleshwar saw minor weakness at ₹1,880, but overall, the processing segment remained firm. Southern & Industrial Side: On NCDEX, Erode traded steady at ₹2,125. Tirupati Starch, Indore fell about ₹25 to ₹1,875. Om Chicks, Khutbaw saw minor weakness of ₹30, trading at ₹2,020. These technical corrections were not demand-driven. Arrivals Situation: Old arrivals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have nearly ended. The current market is primarily based on supplies from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Due to uneven arrivals, intra-state fluctuations of ₹30–50 are being seen. Overall, supply remains tight. Demand Analysis: Demand continues to be the backbone of the maize market. The cattle feed, poultry, starch, and ethanol sectors are actively buying maize. Compared to bajra, maize is cheaper and more readily available, increasing its use in cattle feed. Additionally, rising exports of DDGS have tightened domestic supply, preventing lower-quality maize prices from falling significantly. Policy and Market Sentiment: From a policy perspective, maize is secure. Under the India–New Zealand FTA, maize is exempted from tariff cuts, reducing import-related pressure. Discussions around increasing NCDEX maize futures liquidity have further strengthened market sentiment. Conclusion: The maize market is currently in a balanced and calibrated phase—neither overly bullish nor weak. Downside risk is limited as buyers remain active at lower levels. Meanwhile, steady demand may gradually push prices higher. Better-quality maize is likely to fetch improved rates in the coming days. Farmers and traders are advised to transact wisely, considering rates, lines, and payment terms, and avoid hasty decisions.