The versatile commodity maize production(also known as corn) is one of the best-known agricultural products in the world. The fact that it is both a food staple and a raw material for industrial products makes it an important component of the global agricultural industry. In the past few decades, maize has evolved from a primarily food-driven industry to one that provides inputs for food, feed, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel sectors.
Understanding the potential of maize and its products is crucial for entrepreneurs and startups. This segment presents sustainable business opportunities, supported by a growing market and a variety of end-use markets.
The Global Importance of Maize Production
Worldwide, maize is grown on more than 200 million hectares. The annual production exceeds 1.2 billion tons. More than 80% global production is accounted for by the United States, China Brazil, Argentina, and India. Its high yield per hectare and adaptability to different climate zones make it essential for industrial growth and food security.
According to Chemical Weekly 2025, Vol. Maize is a more profitable crop than other cereals due to the wide range of products it produces, from animal feed to specialty chemicals.
Related: Start a Maize Starch Business
Market Forecasts and Growth Potential
Globally, the maize processing industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6% from 2025 to 2030. Key growth drivers include the growing population, increased per capita consumption, and the global shift to renewable biofuels.
India’s maize production is expected to reach 35 million metric tonnes in 2024. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will be the leading states for cultivation. Maharashtra and Bihar will also lead. In the next five-year period, the country’s starch and sweetener industry based on maize is expected to grow by a CAGR of 7-8%. This growth will be supported by the strong food and beverage sectors.
This table gives a quick snapshot of global maize forecasts:
| Year | Global Maize Production (Million Tones) | Global Maize Processing Market ($ Billion) | CAGR % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,210 | 75 | 5.6% |
| 2025 | 1,230 | 80 | 6.0% |
| 2026 | 1,250 | 85 | 6.2% |
| 2027 | 1,270 | 91 | 6.3% |
| 2030 | 1,320 | 110 | 6.5% |
Entrepreneurs can take advantage of the steady growth in production and processing to start businesses in starch processing, maize milling, and derivative manufacturing.
Major By-Products from Maize
The processing of maize yields a variety of valuable by-products, which are used as inputs in many industries.
1. Maize starch: It is widely used in textiles, adhesives, food, and pharmaceuticals. High-value starch derivatives, such as maltodextrin and glucose, are available.
2. Maize Germ and Gluten: important for animal feed formulations as well as edible oil extraction.
3. High-Fructose Corn Syrup: Widely used in North America, Asia, and the confectionery industry.
4. Bio-Ethanol: It is a renewable fuel derived from maize. It accounts for more than 40% of maize consumption in the U.S.
5. Corn Oil: Edible oil made from maize germ. It is gaining in popularity due to the unsaturated fats it contains.
6. Specialty Chemicals: Maize is a good base for organic acids such as citric, lactic, and itaconic acids, which are used widely in biodegradable plastics and food preservatives.
Related: Unlocking Profits: The Lucrative World of Maize Processing Business
Overview of the Manufacturing Process
Wet or dry milling is the most common method of producing maize products.
- Dry milling: Specifically, this involves grinding maize kernels into grits, meal, or flour, and this process is used to produce food products and snacks
- Wet milling: This is a complex process that separates starch, fiber and germ.
- Cleaning and steeping the maize kernels with water and sulfur dioxide solution.
- Separating and grinding the germ to extract oil
- Centrifugation is used to separate starch from gluten.
- Furthermore, the conversion of starch to derivatives, such as glucose, HFCS, sorbitol, or ethanol, takes place through enzymes or fermentation.
Entrepreneurs should note that wet milling offers a broader scope for value addition compared to dry milling, though it is more technology-intensive.
Demand Drivers for Industrial Applications
Maize products are versatile and in demand across industries.
- Food and Beverage Industry: Starch, glucose and HFCS a key ingredients in confectionery, baking, and beverage formulas.
- Pharmaceuticals: Maize starch can be used in tablet formulations as a filler, disintegrant, and binder.
- Animal Food: Maize Gluten Meal is a high-protein feed ingredient.
- Energy Ethanol from maize is a key renewable energy component in many countries, including the U.S.A. and Brazil.
- Textiles and Paper Modified starches can be used to sizing and finish textiles and for coatings on paper.
Maize-derived chemicals are increasingly used in green packaging and biodegradable solvents.
View our Books on Maize (Corn) Processing, Manufacture of Maize Products
Leading global players in maize processing
The maize-processing industry is dominated by a few multinational companies with global reach:
| Company Name | Country of Origin | Key Products |
|---|---|---|
| Archer Daniels Midland ADM | USA | Corn starch, ethanol, sweeteners |
| Cargill Incorporated | USA | Starches, corn oil and animal feed are all HFCS-free. |
| Ingredion Incorporated | USA | Specialty starches and sweeteners |
| Roquette Freres | France | Starch, polyols and specialty ingredients |
| Tereos Group | France | Bioethanol, starch derivatives |
| Tate & Lyle | UK | Sweeteners and starches |
| Bunge Limited | USA | Corn oil and feed products |
| Agrana Beteiligungs-AG | Austria | Feed products, starch and bioethanol |
| Gulshan Polyols Ltd. | India | Starch, sorbitol, ethanol |
| Sukhjit Starch & Chemicals Ltd. | India | Starches, glucose, dextrins |
These players demonstrate the global scope and competitiveness of the maize processing industry. Startups in emerging economies like India are a great opportunity, particularly in niche products and regional chains.
Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Maize and its products present a number of opportunities for entrepreneurs. India’s increasing demand for starch-based sweeteners and animal feed, as well as biofuels, provides a strong domestic market. Export opportunities for starch derivatives, specialty chemicals and animal feed derived from maize have also increased as industries worldwide shift to bio-based raw materials.
Therefore, depending on local demand and technological capability, entrepreneurs can set up maize starch facilities, specialty chemical production plants, or ethanol units.Moreover, the timing for new ventures is ideal, as the government of India has policies that encourage ethanol blends in fuels.
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Conclusion
Indeed, production of maize and its derivatives is the cornerstone of modern agro-industrial economies. Moreover, maize is a key raw material for multiple industries, from animal feed to biofuels and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, the Indian and global markets are poised to grow, providing entrepreneurs with a fertile environment for establishing innovative and profitable businesses.
According to Chemical Weekly (issue 2025), the processing of maize is not limited to feed or food. It is becoming an increasingly strategic industrial sector. Therefore, maize is a great choice for those looking to start a new business, as it offers an ideal balance between high demand, multiple applications, and growth opportunities.
Niir Project Consultancy Services prepares market survey cum Detailed Techno-economic Feasibility reports for entrepreneurs. These reports include the entire value-chain, including manufacturing processes and raw material requirements. They also cover plant layouts and financial details. NPCS assists startups and industrialists in assessing the feasibility of new ventures. This ensures informed decisions and reduces business risks.
